Cork city councillors urge public to join housing protest

Cork city councillors from six parties have called for people to attend a protest highlighting the ongoing housing crisis later this month.

The Cork Council of Trade Unions is combining with a number of political parties and community groups to highlight the housing crisis across Cork city as part of Raise the Roof, a national movement.

Green Party, Labour, Social Democrat, Sinn Féin, Workers Party, and People Before Profit-Solidarity councillors appealed to people to attend the housing protest ahead of yesterday’s meeting of Cork City Council, where they called on all councillors to attend and endorse the protest.

Almost half of the city council’s elected members are behind the movement, with the exception of Fianna Fáil, Fine Gael, Independent Ireland, and the other three Independent councillors.

Illegal

Speaking at yesterday’s council meeting, People Before Profit–Solidarity councillor Brian McCarthy said that what was needed were solutions like a permanent, no-fault eviction ban, and making it illegal to evict someone into homelessness.

He said: “The money is there, the land is there, what’s missing is the political will. So if we want to see an end to this housing crisis, that means we have to get out there on the streets like we did with the water charges and force that change.

“We need to build a mass movement, a multi-ethnic, multi-gender, inclusive mass movement based on protest and civil disobedience, and that’s what Raise the Roof is all about. I’m appealing to everyone affected by the crisis, who has a friend or family member affected, to come out on June 21, and I’m appealing to the trade unions involved to mobilise as many of their 500,000-strong membership as possible to come out as well.”

Green Party councillor Honore Kamegni, Deputy Lord Mayor of Cork, also invited people to take part in the protest: “Anyone who is stuck in the back bedroom, never to buy their own home, who is paying scandalous rents, waiting years for housing or at risk of homelessness — we need you on the street to send a clear message to Government.”

Daily reality

Sinn Féin councillor Michelle Gould said the current crisis was “a lived, daily reality for thousands of people”.

“It’s a parent wondering how to keep a roof over their child’s head. It’s a worker doing a full-time job and still unable to afford rent. It’s young people forced to leave Cork, not by choice, but by a housing market that has shut them out,” she said.

“Workers who serve our city — healthcare staff, teachers, retail workers, cleaners — are struggling to remain in the communities they serve. Families are being evicted through no fault of their own, as landlords sell up.

“Children are growing up in emergency accommodation. Communities are being hollowed out as people are pushed further and further away from the places they call home.”