• Terminology – Housing

• UNICEF Lessons – End Homelessness

• Policy Document –Housing for All – Government’s current housing policy

• Video Explainer – Social & Affordable Housing

• Video Explainer – Housing Crisis by Rory Hearne

• Article – Penalising the young and rewarding the old by David Mc Williams

• Article – Latest Homeless Figures 28/3/24

• Book – Gaffs By Rory Hearne

• Teaching Sensitive Topics

Housing is one of the critical issues in the upcoming Local Elections. Years of an escalating homelessness crisis and limited housing supply have placed huge strain on vulnerable groups, including young people. Here’s why:

• Housing Affordability: The cost of of both buying and renting a home has become increasingly expensive over time, especially in urban areas like Dublin and its environs. Higher house prices make it harder for young, first-time-buyers to compete in the housing market, while high rent costs and deposits are often out-of-step with young people‘s incomes. Read more

• Limited Supply: Largely to blame for the rising cost of housing in Ireland is the limited housing supply. Year after year, Governments have failed to meet social and affordable housing targets, creating a significant backlog in housing availability while many properties lay vacant and derelict across the country. Read more

• Delayed Independence and Life Milestones: The housing crisis significantly delays the age at which young people can achieve independence and key life milestones. The high cost of housing, coupled with limited availability, forces many to continue living with family or in less-than-ideal conditions for an extended period. Statistics from the European Commission show that, in 2021, the average age of Irish people before they moved out of the family home was 27.9 years, hindering personal and professional development.

• Impact on Mental Health and Well-being: The perpetual struggle to secure stable and affordable housing takes a toll on the mental health and overall well-being of young individuals. The constant uncertainty and feeling of being trapped in an unstable housing situation can lead to stress, anxiety, and dissatisfaction. Read more

• Emigration: While the story of emigration from Ireland is not new, the housing crisis is driving many young people to emigrate for the first time in a period of relative economic stability.

Access to affordable housing affects everyone, with the brunt of systemic failings falling on young people and households with lower incomes. Young people must speak out and advocate for policies that support the delivery of affordable housing to ensure a secure and equitable future for themselves and their peers.

• Adequate Housing: The United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC) recognizes the right of every child to a standard of living adequate for their physical, mental, spiritual, moral, and social development. Adequate housing is a crucial component of this right. The inability of families to access suitable and affordable housing can be seen as a violation of this fundamental right.
• Impact on Health and Well-being: Inadequate housing conditions, such as overcrowding or substandard living conditions, can have direct and lasting impacts on a child’s physical and mental health. Exposure to damp, cold, or unsanitary conditions can contribute to illnesses and developmental challenges, undermining a child’s right to the highest attainable standard of health.
• Education: The right to education is another fundamental right outlined in the CRC. The housing crisis, with its associated challenges like frequent relocations, overcrowded living conditions, insecurity and anxiety at home, can disrupt a child’s education, hindering their ability to realise their right to education on an equal basis with others.
• Homelessness: Children experiencing homelessness face severe challenges in realizing their rights. Lack of a stable and secure home can expose them to numerous risks, including safety concerns, limited access to education, and compromised physical and mental well-being.
• Child Poverty: The housing crisis often contributes to child poverty, as families struggle to afford housing costs, leaving limited resources for other essential needs such as nutrition, healthcare, and education. Child poverty is a significant concern in the context of child rights.
• Non-Discrimination: The principle of non-discrimination, outlined in the CRC, emphasizes that all rights should be guaranteed to every child without discrimination. The housing crisis can disproportionately affect certain groups of children, often on the basis of financial income, leading to disparities and violating the principle of non-discrimination.