Why Cork must build homes, not just housing units, to create a thriving urban future

Cork’s housing future needs more than units and numbers — it needs vision, vibrancy and neighbourhoods that people call home writes Shane Clarke

Office and residential developments at Horgan's Quay, Cork City. Picture: Larry Cummins

Housing is a numbers game it would seem — 40,000 new builds the 2024 pre-election pitch; 30,000 the post-election fact; 20,000 Airbnb short-term lets; a paltry 2,300 long term rentals.

Developer Michael O’Flynn noted recently that “insufficient profit” is the core reason for the lack of housing delivery, yet property prices remain at record levels. The Department of Housing report in January revealed over 15,000 people are classed as homeless.