Policy Press

Housing Shock

The Irish Housing Crisis and How to Solve It

By Rory Hearne

Published

Jun 3, 2020

Page count

302 pages

ISBN

978-1447353904

Dimensions

234 x 156 mm

Imprint

Policy Press

Published

Jun 3, 2020

Page count

302 pages

ISBN

978-1447353898

Dimensions

234 x 156 mm

Imprint

Policy Press

Published

Jun 3, 2020

Page count

302 pages

ISBN

978-1447353935

Dimensions

Imprint

Policy Press

Published

Jun 3, 2020

Page count

302 pages

ISBN

978-1447353935

Dimensions

Imprint

Policy Press
Housing Shock

The unprecedented housing and homelessness crisis in Ireland is having profound impacts on Generation Rent, the wellbeing of children, worsening wider inequality and threatening the economy.

Hearne contextualises the Irish housing crisis within the broader global housing situation by examining the origins of the crisis in terms of austerity, marketisation and the new era of financialisation, where global investors are making housing unaffordable and turning it into an asset for the wealthy.

He brings to the fore the perspectives of those most affected, new housing activists and protesters whilst providing innovative global solutions for a new vision for affordable, sustainable homes for all.

"Reflects Rory’s commitment and optimism that through radical transformation and reclaiming the role of the state we can resolve not only the housing crisis but other societal challenges. This book makes a key contribution to making that transformation happen." Mary P. Murphy, Maynooth University

"Housing Shock is a valuable book. It is a tool for better understanding our current predicament & what we can do about it" The Irish Times

“…a comprehensive and holistic understanding of the [housing] crisis…provides rich detail and arguments that will be useful to current and future housing campaigns” Irish Marxist Review

"Shows how housing in Ireland has made some very wealthy but left thousands homeless. An expert analysis of how government policy has helped make owning or renting a home unaffordable. A must-read." Fr Peter McVerry, Peter McVerry Trust

"An accessibly written analysis of the causes and implications of Ireland’s housing problems, coupled with a comprehensive plan for addressing them. This is a real tour de force." Michelle Norris, University College Dublin

“A damning indictment of those who treat housing as a commodity and a financial asset. With passion and authority, Hearne paints a vision of affordable, secure and sustainable homes - a right for everyone”. P.J. Drudy, Trinity College Dublin

Rory Hearne is a Lecturer in Social Policy at Maynooth University, Ireland.

Foreword: Special Rapporteur for Housing ~ Leilani Farhi;

Introduction: a new housing crisis;

Generation Rent;

Homelessness: the most extreme inequality;

The normalisation of homelessness;

Working for social justice: community, activism and academia;

The neoliberal roots of the current crisis;

The new waves of financialisation: vultures and REITs;

Inequality and financialisation;

The lost decade of social and affordable housing: austerity and marketisation;

The people push back: protests for affordable homes for all;

The right to an affordable, secure and decent home for all;

A Green New Deal for Housing: affordable sustainable homes and communities for all.