Final report from Housing Commission to contain 'surprises'

The report from the Housing Commission is expected to be delivered to Housing Minister Darragh O'Brien before St Patrick's Day. Picture: Niall Carson/PA Wire

The final report of the Housing Commission will be delivered in the next month, with insiders saying it will contain “surprises” for the Government.

The report is expected to be delivered to Housing Minister Darragh O’Brien before St Patrick’s Day, with the body to recommend that the Government updates the country’s housing targets.

A spokesperson for Mr O’Brien said he will consider the report once it is handed over to him, before bringing it to Cabinet for approval.

It is likely to be brought to the housing committee for examination by cross-party TDs and senators.

One source close to the commission said the Government is likely to be “surprised” by the contents of the report, adding that there are some parts they will be unhappy with.

While one person with knowledge of the commission’s work said that there is typically full agreement on “95% of issues”, the remaining 5% has led to contentious debates between members.

It is understood that rental controls were a divisive issue during internal debates between members of the Housing Commission.

One source said that debates had been “lively” and there was some discussion as to whether or not it would be possible to introduce rent pressure zones nationwide.

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However, with further examination, it was found that to do so would be “mathematically impossible”, and there would need to be a new system established for nationwide rental controls. 

Rent pressure zone rules restrict landlords from increasing rents on sitting tenants beyond 2% or the level of inflation, whichever is lower.

Last week, the Dáil heard that there is growing evidence that the rules are being breached following a new report from the Residential Tenancies Board that shows new rents increased by 11% last year.

Sinn Féin’s finance spokesperson Pearse Doherty called for a three-year freeze on rent increases while Finance Minister Michael McGrath said the report was not an overview of rent increases within rent pressure zones.

The commission has already delivered its report to the housing minister on the proposed constitutional amendment surrounding a right to housing.

Proposals to enshrine the right to housing within the Constitution were first started with the Government’s Housing For All plan, which committed to establishing the Housing Commission to look at the matter. 

A minority report on the constitutional amendment, due to disagreements by commission members Michael O’Flynn and Ronan Lyons, has also been handed over to Mr O’Brien in recent weeks.

Mr O’Brien has previously said that it is unlikely that a referendum on the constitutional right to housing would be held during the upcoming local and European elections. 

With higher targets set to be outlined by the commission, the Taoiseach admitted late last year that it is uncertain whether or not the Government would reach its targets for affordable and social homes for 2023. However, the overall target of 29,000 homes will be hit.