Greens propose 3,000 rental homes at Cathal Brugha barracks and Broadstone Garage

Dáil motion calls for Government to use State lands to develop modern public housing to address housing crisis

700 publicly-owned sites identified by Government as suitable for development

The Green Party today proposed that State lands, such as Cathal Brugha barracks in Rathmines, and the Dublin Bus Depot at Broadstone, be developed for 21st century, high quality, Cost Rental housing, to help address the housing crisis. The party estimate that 3,000 homes could be developed between both locations, which span nearly 25 hectares. The Dáil will debate the proposal this evening.

The Cost Rental model is used in countries like Austria, the Netherlands and Denmark to deliver large scale public housing development in a way that stays off the Government’s balance sheet.

Speaking today, Green Party Leader Eamon Ryan TD said: “The housing situation is continuing to spiral out of control. The Government must abandon their approach of tinkering with the market in the hopes of addressing this crisis, and take an active role in providing homes for people. We’re proposing that the Government uses State lands, such as the land banks at Cathal Brugha Barracks and Broadstone Garage to develop 3,000 high quality, affordable, secure rental homes. Austria, the Netherlands, and Denmark all use the cost rental model to deliver thousands of homes every year – there is absolutely no reason why our Government can’t do the same.”

Green Party Deputy Leader Catherine Martin TD said: “The Government has all the tools to solve the housing crisis, the publicly owned land, the expertise, the finances – but it has failed to act decisively. This proposal is affordable, achievable, and deliverable. There are over 100,000 families on the housing waiting list, across the country. In other countries, cost rental is desirable, high quality accommodation. There is mixed tenure – it’s not just for those on the housing list. We want to see that replicated here. The Government must up its game, and tackle the housing crisis head-on. Social Justice Ireland, the National Economic and Social Council (NESC) and the Nevin Economic Research Institute (NERI) all recommend Cost Rental as a means to address this crisis.”

Green Party Councillor for Rathmines, Patrick Costello, said: “Cathal Brugha barracks and the Broadstone Garage are two perfect sites for development. They are close to the City Centre, close to schools, colleges, employment opportunities, and public transport links. If they are developed for high quality, affordable public housing, they will transform our communities for the better, and breathe new life into our city. We know that we need to develop housing closer to town and city centres to stop urban sprawl, cut commute times and tackle climate change. These sites offer the perfect opportunity to start changing the whole rental market for the better.”

A copy of the Green Party motion can be found here.