Gaffs

1. Ireland's Housing Crisis: A Generational Divide Fueled by Policy

The housing crisis is not something that just happened; it resulted from bad policy choices – mistaken decisions made by governments, over decades, to stop local authorities building homes, telling them to get out of housing and hand it over to the private market.

Generational inequality. The core of Ireland's housing crisis lies in a stark generational divide, where younger individuals face unprecedented challenges in securing stable and affordable housing, a stark contrast to the opportunities afforded to previous generations. This disparity isn't accidental but a consequence of deliberate policy choices.

Policy over individual blame. The crisis isn't attributable to individual failings, such as millennials' spending habits, but rather to systemic issues stemming from government decisions that prioritized private market interests over public housing needs. This has led to a situation where housing is treated as a financial asset rather than a fundamental human right.

Sacrificing a generation. The younger generations have been made the sacrificial lamb for the recovery of the Irish banks and property market. Austerity measures, cuts in housing budgets, and the introduction of investor funds have disproportionately burdened millennials and Gen Z, jeopardizing their financial stability and future prospects.

2. From Tenements to Council Estates: A Century of Housing Struggles

Poor housing standards, exploitation and unaffordable homes is what you get if you leave housing up to the market.

Historical parallels. Ireland's struggle for adequate housing isn't new. The appalling conditions of Dublin's tenements in the early 20th century mirror some of the challenges faced today, highlighting the cyclical nature of housing crises when market forces are left unchecked.

State intervention as a solution. The early Irish Free State responded to the tenement crisis by building council houses on a massive scale, demonstrating the effectiveness of state intervention in providing affordable and secure housing for working-class families. This period serves as a reminder of what can be achieved when housing is treated as a public good.

Lessons relearned. The historical record underscores the importance of robust state oversight and regulation of the private rental sector to prevent exploitation and ensure decent living standards. The failure to enforce sanitary laws and address landlord negligence in the past led to dire housing conditions, a lesson that remains relevant today.

3. The Celtic Tiger's Housing Boom: A Party for Some, a Nightmare for Others

Let’s be straight, I accept there were failures in the political system... but let’s be fair about it – we all partied.

False narrative. The Celtic Tiger era, often remembered as a period of prosperity, was also a time of escalating housing unaffordability, fueled by reckless lending and speculative property investment. The narrative of "we all partied" obscures the reality that the benefits of the boom were not shared equally.

Policy-driven inflation. Government policies, such as tax breaks for landlords and a failure to regulate bank lending, actively encouraged the housing boom, driving up prices and creating a bubble that would eventually burst with devastating consequences. The state's withdrawal from social housing provision further exacerbated the crisis.

The rise of buy-to-let. A key factor in the Celtic Tiger's housing inflation was the surge in buy-to-let mortgages, which transformed homes into investment assets and squeezed first-time buyers out of the market. This marked the beginning of Ireland's "Generation Rent," a cohort trapped in an increasingly unaffordable private rental sector.

4. Austerity and the Rise of REITs: How Policy Made Housing Unaffordable Again

The government was trying to increase house prices and rents, making housing unaffordable to you, in order to make it more profitable for vulture funds, corporate landlords, the banks and private developers.

Austerity's impact. The austerity measures implemented after the 2008 financial crisis, including cuts to social housing budgets, had a devastating impact on housing affordability, setting the stage for a new crisis. These policies prioritized the interests of banks and developers over the needs of ordinary citizens.

The NAMA effect. The creation of the National Asset Management Agency (NAMA) to manage toxic property loans led to the sale of assets to international vulture funds and the introduction of Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs), further financializing housing and driving up prices. This was done to "resuscitate" the property market, i.e. to get them back into profitability.

The HAP shift. The shift towards the Housing Assistance Payment (HAP) scheme, which subsidized private landlords to house social housing tenants, further entrenched the private rental sector and made it more attractive to investors, while failing to address the underlying need for affordable public housing.

5. Home as Haven: Reclaiming the True Value of Housing

We need to turn the dominant property economics approach to housing in Ireland on its head. We need to put the heart back into home.

Beyond economics. The prevailing view of housing as a mere economic commodity has obscured its fundamental role as a source of shelter, security, and personal identity. Reclaiming the true value of housing requires recognizing its emotional and psychological importance.

Housing and wellbeing. A secure and affordable home is essential for individual and family wellbeing, providing a foundation for physical and mental health, social connection, and personal growth. Housing insecurity, on the other hand, can lead to chronic stress, anxiety, and a diminished sense of self-worth.

The social contract. The erosion of access to affordable housing has broken the social contract, alienating younger generations from their own country. Restoring this contract requires a commitment to providing stable, secure, and affordable homes for all, not just those who can afford them in the private market.

6. Generation Rent: Stranded in an Unaffordable and Insecure Market

Rents are an average of €1,415 a month nationally... You need to be earning €115,000 a year... for the average rent of €1,972 per month to be affordable.

Unaffordable rents. The private rental market in Ireland has become increasingly unaffordable, with rents far outpacing wage growth. This has pushed renters into poverty, forcing them to choose between essential bills, medical costs, and putting a roof over their heads.

Insecurity and instability. The lack of long-term security in the private rental sector, coupled with the fear of eviction, has created a state of perpetual anxiety for renters, with devastating impacts on their mental health. This instability makes it difficult to build communities and plan for the future.

A generation trapped. Many renters are desperate to escape the private rental sector but are unable to do so due to the lack of affordable housing options. This has created a "Generation Rent" trapped in a cycle of unaffordable rents and housing insecurity, with little hope of ever owning their own home.

7. Generation Stuck at Home: The Hidden Crisis of Delayed Independence

Half a million young – and increasingly, middle-aged – people are living in their parents’ home – this is Generation Stuck at Home, and they are largely invisible in the housing discussion.

A hidden crisis. The housing crisis has forced a significant portion of the population, including young and middle-aged adults, to live with their parents due to the unaffordability of housing. This "Generation Stuck at Home" is often overlooked in discussions about the housing crisis.

Impact on independence. Living with parents well into adulthood can hinder personal development, limit independence, and strain family relationships. It can also make it difficult to form romantic relationships and start families.

Economic consequences. The inability of young adults to move out of their parents' homes has broader economic consequences, limiting their ability to contribute to the economy and start their own businesses. This represents a significant loss of potential for the country as a whole.

8. The Climate and Housing Crises: An Opportunity for Sustainable Solutions

We have an unprecedented opportunity to really tackle the biggest societal and environmental challenges facing us – through housing.

Intertwined crises. The housing crisis and the climate crisis are interconnected, with unsustainable building practices and energy-inefficient homes contributing to environmental degradation. Addressing both crises requires a holistic approach that prioritizes sustainability and affordability.

Green homes for all. A new vision for housing should focus on delivering environmentally sustainable, affordable, and high-quality homes for all, reducing carbon emissions while improving living standards. This includes retrofitting existing homes and building new homes using sustainable materials and energy-efficient designs.

A just transition. The transition to a zero-carbon future must be socially inclusive, ensuring that those most affected by housing inequalities are not left behind. This requires targeted support for low-income households to afford retrofitting and access sustainable housing options.

9. A Rights-Based Approach: The Key to a Just and Sustainable Housing System

Secure, affordable, sustainable homes for all are at the core of a compassionate and just society.

Housing as a human right. The solution to Ireland's housing crisis lies in recognizing housing as a fundamental human right, not just a commodity. This requires a shift in policy and mindset, prioritizing the needs of people over the profits of investors.

Constitutional protection. Enshrining the right to housing in the Constitution would provide a legal framework for ensuring that everyone has access to adequate, safe, and affordable housing. This would empower citizens to hold the government accountable for meeting its housing obligations.

State intervention. A rights-based approach necessitates a more active and interventionist role for the state in delivering housing, including building social and affordable homes, regulating the private rental sector, and preventing homelessness. This requires a long-term commitment to funding and resources.

Last updated: March 30, 2025