Social Democrats TD Rory Hearne will introduce a bill tomorrow (Wednesday, March 25) to give people a constitutional right to housing.<\/p>\n
Deputy Hearne, who is the party\u2019s housing spokesperson, said:<\/p>\n
\u201cI am introducing my bill at a time when evictions and homelessness are at record levels. There is no mention of a right to housing in any housing policy currently being put forward by the Government. Instead, they are intensifying their approach of treating housing as an investment asset for institutional investors.<\/p>\n
\u201cMy Right to Housing Bill 2026 offers an alternative way of treating housing as a fundamental need, public good and human right.<\/p>\n
\u201cIncluding a right to housing in the Constitution, by holding a referendum, would put an obligation on the Irish State and the Government to ensure that all citizens have access to a decent, secure, affordable home.<\/p>\n
\u201cThere have been several right to housing bills produced in recent years. However, this legislation is different insofar that it includes wording from the Housing Commission report, which has not been used in a bill to date.<\/p>\n