‘It will take 20 years to house all those currently in need of social housing in Leitrim’ says Social Democrats' MEP candidate

Social Democrats' MEP Candidate for the Midlands North-West region, Rory Hearne, is to hold the next public meeting of his campaign in Carrick-on-Shannon next week.

The public meeting, themed ‘Solving the Housing Crisis and a Fairer Ireland,’ will discuss solutions to housing and homelessness and focus on the role the EU can play in achieving a healthy housing sector in Ireland.

A housing expert and well-renowned housing activist, Rory will discuss how the housing crisis unfolds in Leitrim and what can be done. 

Alongside housing, Rory’s campaign for Europe will focus on making the economy work for our wellbeing, ending child poverty, the need for a fair transition in climate policy, pushing for stronger workers’ rights, and, most notably, calling on the EU to sanction Israel over the genocide it is committing on the people of Gaza, all of which will be discussed at the public meeting.

Speaking ahead of the meeting, Rory said: “I am delighted to be in Leitrim to speak at this public meeting and knock on doors alongside the excellent local Social Democrats candidate, Lola Gonzales-Farrell.

“Leitrim, like every county in Ireland, is experiencing a housing crisis. If we look at housing needs, there are 557 households in need of social housing on waiting lists or HAP, yet the number of social housing homes built in Leitrim was just 28 units in 2023, and that was a reduction on the number delivered in 2022 when 32 units were built.

“At that rate of social housing delivery, it will take 20 years to house all those currently in need of social housing in Leitrim. That is absolutely unacceptable.”

Rory says that renters in Leitrim have seen rents increase by 116 per cent since 2012, but at the time, “wages increased by just 27 per cent.” 

“Since Housing For All, the Government’s landmark housing plan, rents have increased by 17 percent in Leitrim – yet rents are supposed to be only increasing by 2 percent per year. Rents have increased way beyond rent caps, and that is in part, because Leitrim is not covered by Rent Pressure Zones rent regulations, but also because of the lack of enforcement of rent regulations," he added.

Leitrim has 3,195 adults living in the parental home and 2,807 vacant homes. Rory adds that there are real solutions to this housing crisis, like using the vacant and derelict buildings. 

Joining Rory on the night of the discussion will be Social Democrats’ Councillor for Carrick-on-Shannon, Lola Gonzales-Farrell. 

Speaking about the meeting, Lola said: "We are delighted to be hosting Rory for a very informative session about how we can create a safer, fairer society. With his deep expertise in social policy, particularly in housing - having written books on the subject - Rory will lead the conversation as we explore the latest research and insights, and how this can benefit Leitrim's rural and urban areas."

For all who wish to attend to meet the candidates and join in this important discussion, the meeting will take place at 7.30pm, on Monday, April 15, at St. George’s Heritage and Visitor Centre, Carrick-on-Shannon.