#GE2020: Linda Hayden calls for constitutional right to housing

The Social Democrats candidate for Kildare South, Linda Hayden, has reiterated her party's call for the inclusion of a right to housing to be inserted into the Irish Constitution.

In a statement, she notes that the latest figures for County Kildare show there are 203 homeless people in the county, as well as 19 in Laois.

"This is only the tip of the iceberg, as there are many families and people living in the box bedrooms of family homes," she says. "Everyone should have a right to a home. Having housing in our constitution would place responsibility on the Government to ensure that legislation, policy and delivery are met."

Noting that Article 43 of the Constitution seeks to balance private property rights with the common good, the candidate says that, too often, the common good loses out. "This holds us back on reforming issues such as nationwide rent freezes, security of tenure and addressing upward-only rent reviews."

Linda Hayden says the Social Democrats will propose a referendum to let the people decide on the matter.

(Derived from material provided by the candidate.)

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