Homelessness Figures Spark Further Call For Emergency Eviction Ban

A call from Labour for an emergency eviction ban across Ireland has been reiterated amid news of the latest homelessness figures.

Approximately 10,805 people are now living in homelessness as of August 2022, according to data from the Residential Tenancies Board (RTB).

Urging the government to take action and support struggling renters, Labour representative Rebecca Moynihan said: "We need an Emergency Housing for All strategy to get through the months ahead which must include a time-limited eviction ban and rent freeze. The renters' credit announced in last week's budget is meaningless for the many renters at risk of eviction this winter. Instead, the Minister must introduce legislation to keep tenants in situ when a landlord is selling the property. Otherwise, we will continue to see many loyal and hardworking renters pushed into homelessness simply because their landlord is selling up.


"Homelessness increased 2% month on month according to the most recent figures published by the Housing Department. We know the majority of people entering homelessness are coming from the private rental market. It beggars belief that Government is continuing to ignore this fact. The Government's abject failure to control rents, to address the crisis in evictions or to provide sufficient levels of affordable housing have exacerbated these problems.

"During Covid, emergency measures were taken to stop people falling into homelessness. The Cost of Living crisis is an economic emergency on the same scale for renters. Ireland needs to radically change laws on evictions and keep tenants in situ. Right now, commercial tenants have more rights than people living in rented homes."