A Cork councillor highlights housing affordability issues, noting many young professionals cannot afford homes.
Honore Kemagni is a Green Party councillor. He went to a Construction Industry Federation dinner. He spoke with ministers and construction people.
Kemagni welcomed housing investment, but he feels sad about the lack of affordable housing talk. He stated that people can’t buy homes and feels that mortgages are too expensive.
He met young professionals during his campaign, explaining that they have jobs but live with their parents. This happens because they cannot buy or rent.
Kemagni said this is the time for young professionals to build relationships, get married, and start families. However, they are stuck financially. He stated that the market favors investors.
Cork will build affordable homes, and vacant homes exist all across the county. A recent survey showed saving takes six years to get a deposit in Cork.
Kemagni described queues of 500 people waiting to view one house. A Douglas home costs €400,000. He called it madness and completely unaffordable.
Kemagni warned of an economic crash. He urged the government to act fast and reduce the cost of living so that homeownership becomes possible.
He believes the system needs fixing and that the Tánaiste must take action now. He wants reforms to fix housing, pointing out that over 121,000 people needed social housing while only 549 homes were available.
Thomas Gould said it would take decades, specifically three decades, to solve Cork’s housing list. This is the reality for those needing social housing.