Homelessness & accommodation crisis can no longer be tolerated

In recent days Ógra Shinn Féin were disturbed to hear of significant proposed increases in the price of rent for Students in the Shanowen Square complex in Whitehall, on Dublin’s north side.

In what is evidently a worsening accommodation crisis for students, unscrupulous landlords have seen an opportunity to cash in for more profit.

Increases of up to 27% in accommodation fees for the oncoming academic year mean that students will be asked to pay nearly €9000 for an eight month period. This is an unacceptable increase on already high rents; additionally it is an attack on young people and puts additional financial pressure on those who are already struggling. High rents are a barrier to education.

Ógra Shinn Féin notes that year on year in Dublin, housing and accommodation statistics have only worsened, this is a direct result of government policy to erode public supports for students and young people to the benefit of the private sector.

We reiterate our call for:

• The declaration of a housing emergency
• Rent controls that are tied to a consumer price index
• The implementation of publicly led provision of accommodation for students.

These are practical solutions that can be implemented.

The housing and accommodation crisis has come about primarily by a lack of political will, with no impactful solutions forthcoming from the government. The current situation can no longer be tolerated.

We are calling all students, in DCU and further afield to join the National Homeless and Housing Coalition protest on Saturday, the 7th of April meeting at the Garden of Remembrance at 1pm.

Rent should not be a barrier to education.

#ShanowenShakedown