Sinn Féin and the Social Democrats criticized proposed changes reducing minimum apartment sizes and removing communal space requirements, arguing these changes will lead to smaller, darker housing and increased rents. Restrictions on one-bedroom apartments will be lifted, and the minimum size for studio apartments will decrease from 37 sq m to 32 sq m. Sinn Féin claims this will not increase supply or lower prices, echoing previous outcomes from similar policies. The proposals are seen as benefiting developers while neglecting the needs of renters and risking delays in housing delivery through increased judicial reviews.
Sinn Féin's housing spokesman Eoin Ó Broin stated that reducing minimum apartment sizes will lead to renters paying higher rents for smaller and darker apartments, which echoes past experiences that such policies do not yield increased supply or lower rents. He highlighted that previous similar policies resulted in increased construction costs and land values, while also forecasting a rise in judicial reviews that will delay the delivery of homes.
The Social Democrats criticized the proposed changes as merely increasing developers' profits while doing nothing to reduce housing costs or support families looking to live in apartments. Rory Hearne, the party's housing spokesman, remarked that reducing sizes and slashing guidelines will transform apartments into 'glorified shoe boxes' rather than contributing to meaningful housing solutions.
Rory Hearne of the Social Democrats emphasized that the proposed policies will not make housing more affordable or appealing to residents. Instead, they will primarily benefit developers at the expense of quality living conditions, turning apartments into products lacking suitable standards to accommodate families and individuals.
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