Longford renters paying the price for government housing failures

Longford / Westmeath Sinn Féin TD Sorca Clarke has said that Longford renters are paying the price of Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael's housing failures.

Deputy Clarke’s comments were made as the latest Daft.ie rent report showed rents in Longford rising by 7.9% with the average rent now €1,353 per month in the county.

Deputy Clarke said, “Today's Daft.ie report will come as no surprise to renters. Year on year, we are seeing significant increases in both new rents and existing rents.

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“The report shows that rents in Longford have risen by 7.9% in the last year, with the average rent now €1,353 per month in the county.

“The failure of successive governments to deliver a sufficient supply of social and affordable homes and private homes to purchase has forced too many people into a private rental sector that does not meet their needs.

“Not only have Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael missed their social and affordable housing targets every year but Simon Harris is now warning that house prices will continue to rise for the next number of years.

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“The result of this failure is that renters are paying the highest rents in the history of the state. Renting has never been more expensive and insecure.

“Instead of fixing the problem of public and private for purchase supply, government is considering whether to allow landlords to hack up rents even further to attract institutional investment.

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“Any move in this direction would be a disaster for renters. Renters are already paying for the housing failures of government. They simply cannot pay any more.”