Rory Hearne: How can Generation Rent be struggling while 166,000 homes lie vacant? 

It is increasingly difficult to make a home in the insecure private rental sector with many living in fear of having to leave and uproot family

Census 2022 shows the scandalous situation whereby 166,000 homes are vacant. Picture: Mark Stedman/RollingNews.ie

The housing crisis is a social catastrophe, impacting the lives of hundreds of thousands of Generation Rent, on their mental health, their sense of security and hope. 

I wrote that sentence here last July. Unfortunately, almost a year on, the housing catastrophe not only continues, it worsens by the day.