Bríd Smith on social segregation in build-to-rent housing
Bríd Smith raised concerns about social segregation in build-to-rent social housing, arguing that social tenants are being excluded from communal amenities. She urged enforcement of Department of Housing policy that amenities must be shared and said she will raise the issue with the minister.
Allegations of exclusion
The speaker said that in the build-to-rent model 10% of apartments can return to local housing, but social tenant residents are being pushed out and locked out of on-site amenities. She listed playgrounds, games rooms and shared party rooms as facilities that were contractually to be available to all but are being restricted in practice.
Policy requirement and enforcement
She noted the Department of Housing policy states amenities should be shared and called for enforcement of that policy. She said she will follow up and speak to the minister about ensuring the policy is implemented.
Local campaigning
Bríd Smith said she is working with local people and with the local councillor Hazel de Norton to campaign against what they call social segregation in these developments. She described the apartments as attractive but criticised the exclusionary use of amenities.
Impact on children and community values
She highlighted the human impact, saying children do not understand why they cannot use playgrounds and mentioning accessibility concerns such as a child in a wheelchair. She framed the issue as contrary to societal values and warned that the practice is spreading through the city as new build-to-rent complexes open.
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Thaiseach, I'm working on an issue that I think is going to become very prevalent in social housing as the build-to-rent apartments are rolled out. I'm working with local people and with the local councillor Hazel de Norton to campaign against what we are calling social segregation. In the build-to-rent model, 10% of the apartments can go back to the local housing for social housing, but the families that are now experiencing what it's like to live in these, the apartments are gorgeous, but the amenities inside, although the contract was signed to say all amenities, including playgrounds, games rooms, the shared party rooms, would be available to all in the complex, but social tenant residents are pushed out and locked out of those amenities. That is social segregation in part five apartments, and it's spreading like a disease through the city where these apartments are opened up. Now, the reason I'm raising with you is because the policy in the Department, the Department of Housing, not the Council, is for everybody to share all amenities. Children don't understand why they can't use playgrounds. Explain that to a child in a wheelchair. Well, they should be able to use playgrounds. We will follow that up, and as you say, the housing policy is that it will be available to all. And there should not be that. So, just truly, Chair, there should not be that social segregation. That's important to our way of thinking and our values as a society. There cannot be that segregation. So, I will talk to the Minister in terms of the enforcement of what is the policy. and that wrong. Go. Go. Go.
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