Sinn Féin Councillor Conor D. McGuinness has said that Government policy is pushing up house prices in Co. Waterford, making it more difficult for young couples and families to secure a home. The Dungarvan councillor said that Government had missed all its own housing targets again this year, while house price inflation continues to accelerate. He was commenting on the most recent MyHome.ie report, which shows that the increase in house prices in Waterford far exceeds the average across the state.
McGuinness said:
“The latest report from MyHome.ie and Bank of Ireland showing house price inflation is running at 6.5% statewide, and at 7.1% in Waterford. That the rate of increase is accelerating is very worrying but not surprising.
“Government housing policy is pushing up house prices. The combination of low affordable housing output, stagnant private for purchase output and demand side subsidies like the so-called Help to Buy Scheme and the high risk Shared Equity Loan scheme mean that the gap between supply and demand continues to grow.
“Independent analysis from TUD Dublin housing economist Lorcan Sirr has shown that despite an increase in overall supply of new homes, the number of new homes coming to market for owner occupiers is stagnant in real terms. It is also concerning that the number of homes for sale on the open market as a percentage of overall output has fallen to just 27%.
“Meanwhile, the government missed all of their affordable housing targets last year. They missed their affordable purchase home target by 62%, their cost rental target by 59%, their First Home Scheme by 44% and their vacant property refurbishment grant target by 83%.
“Whether it is affordable purchase homes or private purchase homes, the government’s housing plan is simply not working. Low supply coupled with increased developer subsidies will simply drive house prices further upwards.
“We don’t need a tiktok Taoiseach treading water for the next year while the housing situation continues to spiral. We need a general election, a change of government and a new housing plan that focuses on the delivery of tens of thousands of affordable homes at prices working people can afford.”
Conor D. McGuinness TD 