Although wealthy, Ireland faces a worsening housing crisis, with the population expected to increase significantly between 2015 and 2023. But new housing construction has not necessarily followed.
AdvertisementA massive increase in the Irish population between 2015 and 2023 has contributed to the housing crisis. Housing needs have reached a ratio of 4:1, meaning that only one person is available for every four people looking for housing.
The huge demand for housing has led to a significant increase in property prices. Rent is unaffordable for most of the youth.
Some observers believe that the government is pointing to the accountability of the government:
“We have failed to stem this flow and we have not built appropriate social housing to allow them to live with dignity.“, iCare Housing Managing Director David Hall explained to Euronews.
“So we are faced with a massive crisis that is getting worse every year, a massive supply and demand that is unmixed, unconnected, totally disconnected and at odds with our needs.” he added.
Rapid population growth is at the heart of the massive demand for housing.
The number of people living in the country has grown from 3.6 million in the mid-1990s to 5.1 million today. However, at the same time, the number of completed housing units is less than required.
A recent study found that Ireland has a higher housing demand ratio than Spain, the United Kingdom, Germany and the United States. Per capita demand is twice that of Australia – a popular destination for migrants from around the world.
Despite current figures, the Irish government says the rate of housing starts is improving:
“For ten years, until 2020, we haven't built enough housess,” says Ireland's housing minister, Darragh O'Brien.
“But if you look at what we're doing now, in the first two years of the Housing for All programme, we've far exceeded our targets, and we'll do that this year with private housing, very high quality social housing, social housing at a rate we haven't seen in over 50 years, affordable housing for workers for the first time in a generation.” he added.
With general elections due to be held in the coming months, the housing issue could be crucial to the formation of the next government.
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