People Before Profit organises a protest against the expiration of the eviction ban

As the cost of living crisis continues, there has been a lot of controversy over the Dáil's recent decision to let the eviction ban expire. It will come to an end on March 31st, although coalition leaders reassured that some renters would remain in "phase protection" until June.

Homelessness organisations have attempted to appeal the decision, with little luck. People Before Profit, Ireland's largest ecosocialist organisation, brought a bill to the Dáil with the intention of extending the eviction ban. It reached the second stage, but didn't advance further.

The current plan includes tax breaks to landlords totalling €14,000 per year to incentivise their continued stay in the rental market. Many had sold their properties with the understanding that tenants would have difficulties to afford housing during the crisis, contributing to homelessness.

Now, in another attempt to combat the end of the eviction ban, People Before Profit are organising a protest. Set for April 1st, the protest will take place at the Dáil at 1PM GMT.

The Government has decided to lift the #evictionsban & many renters will be thrown out on the streets between now & June as a result.

Before the decision, the Government took the advice of AG Rossa Fanning - a landlord with a property portfolio worth €1.5 million.

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— People Before Profit (@pb4p) March 10, 2023

They detailed the planned protest on Twitter along with the scope of the situation and their demands. Included is a criticism of the Dáil's operations and catering to AG Rossa Fanning, "a landlord with a property portfolio worth €1.5 million."

"The Government has decided to lift the #evictionsban & many renters will be thrown out on the streets between now & June as a result."

"This heartless government is doing nothing to solve the housing crisis or protect people from the impacts of inflation and the #costoflivingcrisis. Nearly 12,000 people in Ireland are currently homeless. The situation is so bad that even homeless hostels are full."

Nobody should be fooled by the rhetoric of the far right that refugees are to blame. This Government has caused the housing crisis by refusing to build social housing, treating housing instead only as an investment asset and source of income for landlords.

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— People Before Profit (@pb4p) March 10, 2023

PBP continued on, calling out the far-right for blaming refugees looking for safety during this time of crisis rather than the government's handling of the issue.

"This Government has caused the housing crisis by refusing to build social housing, treating housing instead only as an investment asset and source of income for landlords."

The thread even commented on PBP's previous attempts at extending the eviction ban.

"While it got past the second stage, the Government has tried to prevent a vote before the winter eviction ban runs out. However, on Weds there will be a vote on a Sinn Féin motion calling for the ban to stay."

We want:

👉 A rent freeze & a ban on evictions.
👉 Price controls on food & energy.
👉 A cap on mortgage interest rates.
👉 Wages that match the rise in prices.

Get to the Dáil on 1 April @ 1pm & protest this rotten Government.

You can join PBP at https://t.co/QoZZDhtrDY.

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— People Before Profit (@pb4p) March 10, 2023

Ultimately, the organisation outlines the following demands they believe will help people:

1) A rent freeze and a ban on evictions

2) Price controls on food and energy

3) A cap on mortgage interest rates

4) Wages that match the rise in prices

Until then, anxiety about eviction notices remain. The Residential Tenancies Board (RTB) reported that last year, almost 5000 eviction notices were served from July to September.

When discussing the issues with extending the eviction ban last week, Taoiseach Leo Varadkar said that the Cabinet would "have to weigh up the pros and cons" of the eviction ban today.

Pat Davitt, Chief Executive of the Institute of Professional Auctioneers and Valuers said that the ban "has had very little effect" on reducing homelessness.

Still, People Before Profit and other homelessness organisations, and many charities, politicians, and activists remain adamant that the ban is preventing further harm. The end of the ban would increase homelessness in the short-term, even if it is likely to encourage landlords to retain properties long-term.

Mike Allen, the Director of Advocacy for Focus Ireland, a homelessness charity, reports that there are already "virtually no free beds in emergency homeless accommodation." It's a stark and grim reminder of the severity of the situation.