Johnny Mythen (Wexford, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

Sinn Féin agrees with this Bill and recognises the urgency to make necessary changes to fully register all approved housing bodies, which account for approximately 61,000 dwellings, either owned, leased or managed by AHBs throughout the country. We see AHBs as an important cog in the supply of cost-rental and affordable homes, particularly for the homeless, elderly citizens and for both young couples and single people who find themselves being presented with notices of termination through no fault of their own, which is usually caused by the selling of the property or a substantial hike in the rent. There are approximately 5,000 notices to quit every quarter nationwide. In fact, in my constituency, I am aware of five families in the last week finding themselves in such a situation. In each case, the landlords increased the rents beyond their means or the property was put up for sale. It is devastating to see the anguish and the fear and to witness the soul-destroying effect this has on everyone involved, especially those who have been part of a community for many years. Many of the families involved do not qualify for social housing and are trapped in financial quandary, being barely over the limit to qualify for social housing or social payments.

Rents in County Wexford have averaged €900 to €1,000 per month and are hitting the €1,200 mark in some urban areas. In my constituency, rents have risen 8.7%, while new rents are up 11.5% and creeping monthly into an upward trajectory. There are no rent freezes in Wexford. Some 0% of cost-rental or affordable homes were delivered in County Wexford in 2022, 2023 or 2024.

Housing is one of the biggest issues on young people’s minds, particularly with renters. We have the highest rents, house prices and number of homelessness and children in emergency accommodation ever on record. Homeless emergency accommodation spend has almost doubled in Wexford this year, which tells its own story and demonstrates the seriousness of the growing situation and the need for affordable and cost-rental accommodation to come on stream as soon as possible.

We recognise the need for the Bill and the necessary registration and regulation of AHBs, as well as the important role they will have in providing cost-rental and affordable housing now and into the future.

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