A Dublin councillor has described the escalating housing crisis as a "perfect storm" ahead of an end to the eviction ban.
Labour Councillor Joe Costello said that more measures were needed to ensure housing needs were met across the city. The news of an end to the temporary eviction ban caused outrage earlier this week, particularly as homelessness figures hit a record high for a seventh consecutive month in February.
The ban itself will be removed from March 31, with deferred tenancy terminations taking place on a staggered basis from April 1 to 18 June 2023. Housing Minister Darragh O'Brien has said that measures supporting social housing will be brought into effect following the removal of the ban.
Cllr Costello told Dublin Live: "The ending of the ban is extremely worrying as there are a lot of people out there who struggle to find accommodation in the first instance. We're in the middle of a perfect storm and ending the ban won't stop the situation."
The ban has been slammed by the public on the basis that it protects the rights of landlords over tenants. Cllr Costello also said that escalating rents were a huge cause of concern across the North Inner City and called for added protections.
Cllr Costello added: "The cost of rents are extremely high and people are spending so much of their income. It’s probably the worst crisis I’ve ever come across in the housing sector, ever."
He called on the government to provide extra social housing supply in the wake of the recent announcement regarding the ban. He also added that local authorities should have greater agency in terms of buying homes.
The winter eviction ban first came into effect on October 30 2022 due to sharp inflation. Landlords could still issue a notice of termination during the emergency period.
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