by Alan Jacques
RENTS in Limerick are going through the roof. The housing waiting list is getting longer. And less social houses are being built, it has been claimed.
A meeting will take place in Pery’s Hotel this Thursday, October 29, at 8pm to address the housing crisis and these specific issues.
A teenage boy whose family was recently homeless while he was doing his Leaving Cert will speak openly about his own experiences. Jackie Bonfield of Mid West Simon Community and the Anti Austerity Alliance’s general election candidate for Limerick City, Cllr Cian Prendiville, will also speak at this free event.
Cllr Prendiville feels those suffering the most from the housing crisis are being ignored. However, he believes, the water charges movement is proof that by standing together, the Government can be forced to take notice.
“Rents in Limerick are going through the roof, as the housing waiting list gets longer and longer. Despite a lot of hot air, the Government still refuses to take real action on housing. They have built less social houses than any government for 45 years,” said Cllr Prendiville.
“The Government has allowed the market to hold back the supply of homes and push up the prices. While over 5,000 families are on the housing list in Limerick, so far this year only 10 social houses have been built,” he added.
This, the City North representative maintains, has given landlords a golden opportunity to drive up rents, while the Government refuse to implement rent controls.
“With one quarter of the TDs in the Dail landlords themselves, is it any wonder?” he asked.
According to Cllr Prendiville, Thursday night’s meeting is hoped to be the launch of a campaign to demand immediate action on the housing and rent crisis.
“The AAA have helped coordinate protests and occupations of vacant and NAMA properties, to demand real action. We want to build a similar campaign here in Limerick to demand rent controls, and the right to a home for all,” he concluded.
