Housing

Sinn Féin believes that the right to shelter, to affordable quality accommodation is a basic inalienable right. Social policy should be centred on delivering this basic right. Legislation should promote and safeguard the entitlements of tenants and home buyers rather than the rights of property speculators exploiting people’s essential needs.

Sinn Féin proposes:-

A National Housing Strategy and a National Housing Agency to co-ordinate all aspects of housing provision.

Enshrining the Right to Housing in the Constitution in the 26 Counties and as a right enshrined in the Bill of Rights in the Six Counties.

State-led initiatives in partnership with progressive financial institutions such as credit unions to allow lower-income earners to purchase their own homes.

Increased and sustained funding of local authorities in the 26 counties to provide housing with a target of supplying suitable accommodation within two years for 70 per cent of applicants on the waiting lists.

Development of a properly funded social housing programme in the Six Counties

An increase in Capital Gains Tax on speculative owners of multiple dwellings, introduced on a phased basis over two years.

A statutory ceiling on the price of land zoned for housing to stop speculation and reduce soaring house prices. Compulsory Purchase Orders on landowners sitting on land banks and derelict property.

Direct community involvement in planning for housing. Legislation to ensure that social needs are incorporated in all housing schemes from the earliest stage.

A single streamlined funding scheme for voluntary and community housing.

Rent control in the private rented sector and enforcement of enhanced legislative protection for tenants.

The establishment of a Housing Ombudsman’s Office.

Full implementation of an integrated strategy for homelessness with a target of 70 per cent reduction within two years.

A Government fund to provide capital loans for universities and third-level institutions to facilitate the development of purpose-built student accommodation.

Suitably tailored housing provision for those with special needs such as people with disabilities, women at risk, asylum seekers, Travellers, elderly people and the homeless.