The Raise the Roof campaign will hold a rally outside the Dáil to call for secure and affordable housing for all next Tuesday 23rd April at 5.30pm. 

This coincides with the Dáil debate on an agreed opposition party motion that demands a new plan for housing, which prioritises delivery of secure and affordable homes to rent and buy.

Fórsa is participating in the Raise the Roof housing campaign, which is coordinated by the Irish Congress of Trade Unions (ICTU). The campaign is made up of a number of organisations including trade unions, housing and homeless agencies, student unions, Traveller groups, human rights advocacy groups and community organisations.

The opposition party motion is supported by Sinn Féin, the Social Democrats, the Labour Party, People before Profit/ Solidarity, and several left-leaning independents. 

Contained in the motion are a number of demands:
•    For government to develop a new plan on housing that will prioritise affordability and security for all in the housing sector.
•    Increased delivery targets of public housing and genuinely affordable homes.
•    Higher investment in housing, and a greater focus on bringing vacant homes back into use. 
•    The reintroduction of the ban on no fault evictions and measures to cut rents. 
•    A new student accommodation strategy focused on affordability developed in conjunction with student unions and colleges.
•    Full implementation of recommendations from the Traveller Accommodation Expert Review. 
•    Full implementation of the Irish Refugee Council proposals on emergency accommodation for those seeking protection.

In addition, the motion calls for a referendum on the right to housing. Despite repeated commitments from government, this has yet to take place.

Calling on union members to support the rally ICTU General Secretary Owen Reidy said: “This is an issue for unions and wider civil society. We need a housing system reset. We’ve been doing the same thing for a decade, with ever worsening outcomes for young workers, families, students and many, many others. 

“The two elements absent from current policy are security and affordability and these must now be prioritised. Without secure and affordable homes, no housing policy can hope to succeed,” Mr Reidy said. 

Why not meet up with your work mates at the rally.  Together we can create a visible and strong union presence.  Look out for the Fórsa flags!

The Raise the Roof campaign is calling on people to sign their petition in support of the aims of the campaign.

There’s never been a better time to join a union, and it’s never been easier. Join Fórsa today.