Cllr. Éilis Ryan
The Workers’ Party have called for Priory Hall to be held in public ownership and rented under a mixed income public rental scheme, which they say would allow the council to avoid selling off a public asset, but still recoup the cost of their investment.
Speaking ahead of a vote on the sale of Priory Hall due to take place at next Monday (September 5th)’s Dublin City Council meeting, Workers’ Party councillor Éilis Ryan said:
“What transpired at Priory Hall was one of the worst results of handing the provision of housing over to the private sector. Whether its developers, builders or landlords, its obvious that private sector management of housing leads to lower standards and higher costs.
It makes no sense to continue that trend by selling off such a valuable asset to, most likely, landlords who can charge exorbitant rent.”
Cllr. Ryan instead called for the council to implement a mixed income, public housing scheme on the site, in which 100% of units would remain in council ownership, but 50% would be rented to those on middle incomes.
Commenting on the proposal, the Workers’ Party councillor said:
“Bringing middle income earners into public housing makes financial sense, and will build stronger communities. By renting the 186 homes in Priory Hall to both low and middle income earners, the average income to the council would be sufficient to recoup the council’s costs over 19 years – since those who can afford to pay more in rent will.
“But as well as recouping its costs, under our scheme the council will retain ownership of a valuable asset, which it can leverage to build further public housing, and, eventually, hold as a significant revenue stream.
“Meanwhile, increasing the social housing component would reduce the council’s enormous monthly bill to private landlords through HAP and RAS private rental subsidies.”