As the government courts more international money for Ireland’s rental sector, tenants say they want more transparency around who they are renting from.
The new-build student accommodation will be the best value within the college, and among the most affordable in Ireland, says Laura Beston, president of Trinity’s students’ union.
Some say that PPPs are slower, more costly and riskier than the normal procurement process, while others see them as an innovative model in the government’s toolbox to tackle the housing crisis.
The plans are for a complex with co-living, a hotel, co-working or artists studios, a restaurant, and more. Some politicians and local residents say they hope to appeal the decision.
While life in hotels for homeless families was already hard, many say it’s getting tougher – and worry where they’ll get food from, where the kids can play, and where to do laundry.
Councillors welcomed plans to build on long-vacant land but also have concerns about rents – which estimates suggest will be between €1,350 for a studio and €2,800 a month for a three-bed.
The sites could accommodate 1,700 homes, but some councillors worry existing businesses might be forced out, new housing might be expensive, and amenities might not be included.
Shanganagh Castle is set to be one of the biggest public housing projects in Dublin once completed, however, questions about building standards loom over parts of the scheme.
Some of the issues that councillors raised were site-specific, while others were much broader, focused on fears around the quality of developments that might follow.
Councillors are teasing out how to vote. Among the issues in play? A lack of clarity over the number of social homes proposed, a fear of really expensive rentals, and council funds.
Rather than creating 75 permanent social homes, there’s a chance developers will instead lease them to the council for 15 years, according to planning documents.
