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The constitutional right to housing is \u201cmorally, politically, economically and socially\u201d the right thing to do, the Seanad has heard.<\/p>\nThe constitutional right to housing is \u201cmorally, politically, economically and socially\u201d the right thing to do, the Seanad has heard.<\/p>\n
A debate on a private member\u2019s bill to amend the Constitution to ensure that every citizen has the right to housing took place in the Seanad on Friday.<\/p>\n
Fianna F\u00e1il Seanad spokeswoman on housing Senator Mary Fitzpatrick said a constitutional right to housing would \u201cpermanently assert the State\u2019s responsibility to ensure access for all citizens to adequate, safe and affordable housing\u201d.<\/p>\n
Ms Fitzpatrick called on Minister for Housing Darragh O\u2019Brien to \u201cexercise every resource\u201d to ensure every citizen has a home.<\/p>\n
She told the Seanad the housing crisis has a grip on the country, adding the number of homeless people is \u201cunacceptable\u201d.<\/p>\n
Fianna F\u00e1il brought the private member\u2019s motion on Friday.<\/p>\n
Labour Senator Rebecca Moynihan said a constitutional right to housing would make a difference, but added it would not end the housing crisis overnight and is \u201cnot a silver bullet\u201d.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe need to make sure that we have the policy choices and the laws to back that up, to vindicate people\u2019s right to housing, to vindicate to housing standards, to vindicate the right to long lease and to vindicate the right to have a decent standard of living,\u201d Ms Moynihan added.<\/p>\n
It would amend Article 43 of the Constitution, which covers private property rights, to include that \u201cthe State recognizes, and shall vindicate, the right of all persons to have access to adequate housing\u201d.<\/p>\n
It would also include \u201cthe State shall, through legislative and other measures, provide for the realization of this right within its available resources\u201d.<\/p>\n
It comes a day after a similar bill proposed by People Before Profit passed the second stage in the D\u00e1il.<\/p>\n
While the wording of the bill differs slightly from Fianna F\u00e1il’s version, it too calls for a right to housing to be included in the Constitution. <\/p>\n
Ms Fitzpatrick said the current policies in place to deal with the country\u2019s housing crisis need to go further.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s about the State going further, it\u2019s about the State making a permanent commitment to every citizen that they have access to a secure and affordable home,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
\u201cDuring the pandemic, it\u2019s been obvious as to how important a home is to our own personal safety.<\/p>\n
\u201cThere\u2019s far too many homeless people in our society, it\u2019s an issue we are addressing.<\/p>\n
\u201cThere are far too many people who cannot afford to buy their own home or even a secure rental so we are securing that in the legislation.\u201d<\/p>\n
She said the \u201cunrealistic\u201d policies put forward by other parties is not the way to go.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe want the State to make a permanent commitment that every citizen has a right to their home\u201d she added.<\/p>\n
\u201cOur Constitution protects and vindicates the right to private property, but we want to counterbalance that right.\u201d<\/p>\n
She said that she hopes for cross-party support during the debate of the bill in the Seanad.<\/p>\n