Local authorities must reclaim social housing as private market fails households

The private market has failed many households who have been left languishing in precarious, insecure, and unaffordable accommodation, write Joe Finnerty and Cathal O’Connell

THE State has been the main source of housing for low income families for over a century and nearly a quarter of the national housing stock has been built by local authorities.

This is evident in the estates in our cities and towns, and across the countryside which is dotted with labourers’ cottages dating from the late 19th century.