The government has been urged to double capital investment in public housing, adopt an emergency rent freeze and introduce refundable renters tax relief to tackle the housing and homeless emergency.

Sinn Féin TD Aengus Ó Snodaigh spoke out following a Housing and Homeless coalition rally in Dublin over the weekend, 09 March.

He has called for emergency measures to be implemented to stop the flow of people into emergency accommodation, as well as a referendum to enshrine the right to housing into the constitution.

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Deputy Ó Snodaigh said: "Every month the housing and homeless crisis is getting worse. The numbers of people in emergency accommodation is rising. Delivery of social housing is glacial. Not a single affordable home was delivered from any Government scheme in 2018 and none will be delivered in 2019.

"Meanwhile rents and house prices continue to rise locking ever more people out of secure and affordable accommodation.

"Rebuilding Ireland has failed and will continue to fail. It's under investment in public housing to meet social and affordable need coupled with its over reliance on the private market is a recipe for disaster.

"Government must accept that its plan is part of the problem," he concluded. "They must adopt a new approach if they are to end the housing and homeless emergency."

(CM/JG)