Sinn Féin launch housing strategy

KERRY Sinn Féin TD Martin Ferris joined Ireland South MEP and former Presidential Candiate Liadh Ní Riada in Tralee on Friday to launch the party’s campaign on housing and the rental crisis.

Deputy Ferris and MEP Ní Riada were joined by Tralee Sinn Féin Councillor Pa Daly for their walkabout in Tralee town centre.

“Every week, for several years now, my offices and the offices of other elected representatives are inundated by constituents who are having great difficulty in finding suitable accommodation in which to live,” said Deputy Ferris.

“While there has been lots of talk on the delivery of social and affordable homes, the facts are that the delivery of these has been minuscule, if not downright invisible,” Deputy Ferris said.

Sinn Féin says that if elected to Government the party would build “at least” 10,000 social houses per year to try and relieve the huge housing waiting lists in all counties.

The party say there is a need to double the number of affordable rental and purchase properties available nationally. Sinn Féin would also implement an immediate rent freeze and refundable rent relief for all renters, which would give one month’s rent back to tenants each year.

Landlords who benefited from tax breaks would also be barred from issuing vacant possession notices, which the party believes is a leading cause of family homelessness.