Can Sinn Féin fix the housing problem?

Sinn Féin’s newly launched alternative plan to solve the housing crisis has been described as “transformational” by a Cork TD despite the scheme being heavily criticised by opposition parties.

Launched on Monday, the 109 page document, titled A Home of Your Own, sets out how Sinn Féin would aim to deliver 300,000 public and private homes over five years if the party were to enter government in next year’s general elections. It promises to deliver affordable homes to buy for prices between €250,000 and €300,000 for households with mortgage approval and gross household income up to €90,000.

According to the plan, these relatively low prices will be possible because the state would cover the cost of the land, site servicing, and utility connections, meaning the purchaser only pays for the price of construction.

Sinn Féin TD for Cork North-Central, Thomas Gould, said his party are ready to start delivering the plan from “day one” in government.

“Our plan would cut the red-tape and bureaucracy by creating a single Public Housing Fund. It will build communities and it will end the profiteering of vulture funds and speculators at the expense of ordinary people in Cork,” he added.

Also commenting was Cork South-Central TD, Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire, who said: “The housing crisis can be fixed, and this document shows us how. We have a plan to make housing affordable and to bring homeownership within reach of working people. Sinn Féin will transform housing in Ireland. We will ensure that everyone has a home, their own front door,” he added.

Fianna Fáil TD and Minister for Housing Darragh O'Brien, slammed the plan, describing it as “dangerous” and suggested calling it “A Home You’ll Never Own”.

“It’s very clear from their plan that they’re going to take the legs from under first time buyers and they’re against home ownership,” the minister said in a video on social media.

“Within their plan they’re committing to scrapping the Help To Buy grant of €30,000, scrapping the First Home Scheme where first time buyers are getting an average of €70,000, so that’s €100,000 of supports for first time buyers gone under Sinn Féin,” added Mr O’Brien.

He went on to describe the plan as “some convoluted leasing scheme” that would result in people not even owning the land their house is built on.

“And not only that, the average nurse or guard, a household earning over €90,000 won’t even be able to apply to it,” he added.