‘A fig leaf measure’: Kildare councillor condemns government's housing crisis management

A Kildare county councillor has lambasted the government’s housing crisis management.

Social Democrats councillor Chris Pender strongly criticised the government’s handling of the housing crisis.

His comments echo the sentiments expressed by the party’s Housing Spokesperson, Cian O'Callaghan TD, regarding the delayed introduction of the right of first refusal for renters.

Cllr Pender said: "This latest fig leaf measure only serves to expose the government’s incompetence in managing the housing disaster that our country is facing.

"The delay in implementing a right of first refusal for renters is a clear indication that the government is improvising its housing policy without proper planning or foresight."

Cllr Pender claimed that there was 'confusion' surrounding the initial announcement of the measure, due to 'the government’s inability to clarify whether legislation would be necessary, to secure tenants’ right of first refusal when their homes are put up for sale.'

He continued: "The lack of preparation leading up to this proposal, which was announced in early March, is evident in the past four months spent by the government in a scramble to determine how to legislate for this right."

"Reports indicate that even if this legislation is eventually enacted, it will be functionally useless."

Cllr Pender further said that he has concerns that the absence of independent valuations to guide sale prices will allow landlords to sell to the highest bidder, offering no real benefit to tenants who are predominantly priced out of homeownership.

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'LIFTING EVICTION BAN WAS A GRAVE MISTAKE'

He also called the lifting of the no-fault eviction ban, without the government’s safety net in place, 'a grave mistake.'

Cllr Pender elaborated on his point by saying: "The revelation that their proposed safety net is threadbare only exacerbates the housing crisis.

"This fiasco is just another example of the government making up their housing policy as they go along.

"It also reflects their limited understanding of the fundamental issue driving the crisis, which is the vast affordability gap.

"Rather than presenting viable solutions to the housing crisis, the government is wasting precious time on proposals that are destined to fail."

He concluded: "It is high time for the government to take decisive action and address the pressing needs of our citizens."