Desperate tenants under pressure in near suicidal state, says deputy

By Maurice Garvey

TENANTS facing severe pressure due to the ongoing housing crisis, are presenting to People Before Profit TD Brid Smith’s Ballyfermot clinic in a “near suicidal state.”

Deputy Smith says the problem has exacerbated in recent months, and blasted Housing Minister Simon Coveney’s rebuilding plan as an “utter failure.”

“I see people coming to my clinic in Ballyfermot in a near suicidal state, who are facing eviction, or are in unsuitable accommodation,” said Deputy Smith.

“Now, a huge number who can’t stay in their houses, as landlords are refusing to accept the HAP [Housing Assistance Payment] programme which was this Governments big plan,” said Deputy Smith.

Responding to the airing of the recent RTÉ programme ‘Ireland’s property crisis’, Deputy Smith said Minister Coveney’s housing plans have failed the “most vulnerable people” and believes the crisis is getting worse.

Deputy Smith said: “The entire ‘Rebuilding Ireland’ plan is a fiasco that relies on the market to provide housing. All Coveney and this government have done is boost developers and builders’ profits while the housing lists grow and the desperation of people increases. We need to scrap that plan and actually build decent public and social housing.

“The media needs to show less interest in Coveney’s leadership bid to replace Enda Kenny and look more at his failure to deal with the country’s greatest housing crisis in its history.”

The RTÉ programme featured a diverse range of people struggling to stay afloat, including Ballyfermot mother Selina Hogan (30), who is facing eviction after receiving notice to vacate the premises from her landlord.

Deputy Smith said Ms Hogan started a weekly protest outside Ballyfermot Civic offices to “highlight the difficulty thousands are having accessing HAP and decent accommodation.”

“Despite been entitled to the HAP, she cannot access it as landlords will not accept the payment. Thousands of families are in this situation,” said Deputy Smith.

She believes more protests akin to the water charges movement, are required to “force the government to actually fund and build public housing.”