Housing crisis fix ‘not just a matter of money’

Taoiseach Enda Kenny has insisted fixing the housing and homeless problems in Dublin and elsewhere is not just a matter of money.

Mr Kenny last night defended the Coalition’s record in getting people off the streets and said the main problem was getting developers to build in Dublin.

His comments follow a warning by St Stanislaus Kennedy of Focus Ireland that the number of homeless people is now at emergency levels.

Mr Kenny told the Dáil last night that the Coalition has set aside €4bn for social housing up until 2020.

He reminded TDs that he had walked the streets last winter and met those sleeping rough on the streets.

He admitted the Coalition was not happy with the numbers without a roof over their heads. Nonetheless the issue would not be solved until the supply in housing was increased, he told Sinn Féin leader Gerry Adams.

The use of housing controlled by Nama as well as special modular or container housing was also being examined to help with the crisis, the Dáil heard.

Mr Kenny said there were some 21,000 housing units with planning in Dublin but these had not been progressed, partially because of the cost of building them.

While the Taoiseach said a number of times that it was “not a money problem”, Mr Adams said the Government was supporting landlords.

Mr Kenny said the rent supplement was being increased on an individual basis for some tenants facing significant rent hikes.