GREEN Party councillor Seán Hartigan believes that if serious headway is to be made in solving the housing crisis, then it’s time to put the brakes on further development of factories and offices.
Instead, he told the Limerick Post after this month’s Metropolitan District meeting, that the workforce involved in these developments should be used to build houses.
Councillors received a presentation at last Wednesday’s meeting on the Draft Local Economic Framework Plan 2023-2028.
Researcher / Policy Analyst in the Council’s Rural Culture and Community Development Directorate, Eileen Humphreys, revealed during her presentation that employment has increased by 13,500 people since 2016. However, she pointed out that this has resulted in little change in long-term employment levels or employment levels in Regeneration areas but was a factor in the lack of supply and increased cost of housing.
Cllr Hartigan told council members that multinationals were attracting people to Limerick, but were not having the impact we hoped for. While welcoming the reduction in unemployment, he took the view that it was also causing a rise in rent and house prices.
“While increased employment is generally seen as a positive economic indicator, it is exacerbating the existing housing challenges as the supply of housing is not keeping pace with the growing demand generated by a larger workforce,” he claimed.
“Limerick has experienced significant economic growth in recent years, particularly in sectors such as technology, healthcare, and finance. This growth has led to an influx of workers seeking employment opportunities, putting pressure on the housing market.
“As more people compete for a limited supply of available housing, prices are increasing, making it more difficult for lower and middle-income individuals and families to afford suitable accommodation. Every day I am meeting people dealing with overcrowding, homelessness, or being forced to live in substandard housing conditions,” he added.
The City East representative went on to say that the rapid increase in employment has outstripped the pace of housing development and construction. This imbalance between supply and demand, Hartigan maintains, has contributed to a housing shortage, driving up prices and exacerbating affordability issues.
“The average rent for a family home in Limerick City East is currently €2,100 per month which is well above what any working family can afford.
“If we are serious about solving the housing crisis it’s time to put the brakes on further development of factories and offices and use the workforce involved in these developments to build houses. By taking proactive steps to address the housing crisis, Limerick can ensure that its economic prosperity is sustainable and inclusive for all residents,” Cllr Hartigan concluded.
