The Taoiseach Hits Town

Matthews, O’Brien and Varadkar, at your service…

atest press release from Cllr Steven Matthews, issued on Friday, March 31st 2023…

Green Party TD for Wicklow Deputy Steven Matthews yesterday attended a visit Wicklow’s first cost rental housing scheme in Delgany, a scheme that offers security of tenure to long term renters, at a third below market rent.

Cost Rental was championed by the Green Party in negotiating a programme for government and is a cornerstone of the party’s Housing Policy.

An Taoiseach Leo Varadkar and Housing Minister Darragh O’Brien attended and took a tour of the development.

Deputy Matthews said, “It was great to visit the Archers Wood development. A number of constituents had been in touch with me for information about the scheme which was massively oversubscribed, showing the demand for this type of housing. The development is extremely high quality and set in a beautiful location with views that have to be seen to be believed. The next round of apartments is due to be allocated soon and the development will start to take shape as a new community.

“We took our lead from Vienna, where despite a strong economic climate, housing remains affordable for most, due in no small part to the provision of cost rental housing. It is important to note, that unlike private rentals, as long as the terms of the lease are adhered to, the property is your home for as long as you wish. Tenants can feel secure in planning their lives, jobs and children’s schooling around their home, knowing they will not be asked to move. It is an excellent option for those who are working and privately renting but do not qualify for social housing. Rent is set at 30% below market price.

“I would like to see these cost rental developments rolled out across the county. They are one in a suite of measures needed to address the housing crisis. Increased protections for private renters will come into effect on April 1st and schemes to bring vacant and derelict properties back to the housing stock are being ramped up. I am currently working on legalisation to address dereliction and vacancy through a Private Members Bill as I do not believe letting potential homes sit vacant should be an option.”

An Taoiseach Leo Varadkar described Archers Wood as a wonderful place to raise a family and said he hoped to see more of this type in the near future. Minister Darragh O’Brien praised Deputy Matthews chairing of the Oireachtas Housing committee and said Archers Wood is ‘Housing For All in action’.

Deputy Matthews advised that anybody looking for more information about Cost Rental can contact him here for details.