Councillor warns of ‘perfect storm’ hitting Mayo’s housing market as evictions rise by 61pc
Recent reforms in the rental sector, a shortage of affordable housing options, and signs that inflation could rise to 4pc have come together to create what has been described as a “perfect storm” in County Mayo’s housing market.
The warning came from Cllr Harry Barrett at the latest meeting of the Castlebar Municipal District, where he raised concerns over the sharp rise in eviction notices in the county.
According to the latest figures from the Residential Tenancies Board, a total of 134 eviction notices were issued in Mayo in the final quarter of last year, a 61pc increase compared to the 83 notices recorded in the same period in 2024.
Cllr Barrett said the figures are expected to rise further in the next quarter and explained that, as a knock-on effect, more people in the county will become homeless “through no fault of their own”.
While stressing the increase in eviction notices were “no fault of Mayo County Council”, he instead said the numbers reflected “failed Government policy”.
Government reforms to the rental sector came into effect on March 1 and aimed to improve housing security for tenants while also encouraging greater private investment in the market.
However, Cllr Barrett said a consequence of the reforms has been a wave of landlords exiting the market, which in turn has driven up eviction notices, added to homelessness cases, and forced families to look for housing in an increasingly expensive and competitive market.
Cllr Barrett appealed to the Government and to Minister for Housing James Browne to reassess the new rules, which he said were only “accelerating the evictions in this area”
He added that the pressure facing working families is being compounded by a lack of affordable housing options, and described the current situation as “horrendous in terms of finding affordable rental properties”.
“Affordability is the problem for renters and homeowners. We have to do more and keep the pressure on to provide solutions. I am not convinced that we are providing those at the moment,” he said.
Cllr Barrett criticised a 35-unit affordable housing development approved for Castlebar, arguing the “so-called affordable homes” would leave young couples with expensive mortgages.
Properties at the Snugboro development are expected to be priced between €260,000 and €300,000. He warned that a €280,000 unit could leave buyers facing monthly mortgage repayments of around €1,600.
He said the Affordable Purchase Scheme is “not a solution” because the units are not truly affordable, and raised concerns about its logistics, highlighting what he sees as the unfairness of the local authority taking up to a €75,000 equity share in a first-time buyer’s home.
The independent councillor said that a combination of rental reforms, rising evictions, limited affordable alternatives, and the prospect of increased inflation driven by recent energy price hikes is creating a “perfect storm” for young people and working families.
“A lot of working families are asking: ‘Working hard, where does it get you?’ Where does it get you when your disposable income is whittled down on a constant basis,” he said.
Cllr Donna Sheridan echoed her colleague’s concerns and highlighted possible solutions.
She pointed out that many shops and businesses have vacant upper floors that could be converted into apartments suitable for young people.
“We are in a housing crisis, and we need to do something,” she said, suggesting modular housing as another potential solution.
The Mayo County Council Housing Strategic Policy Committee is due to visit a modular homes factory as part of a fact-finding mission to explore the potential of a council-led modular housing scheme to help accelerate housing delivery.
Cllr Sheridan added that the council should pursue every available option, from providing mortgage advice and planning modular housing developments to investing in the conversion of vacant space above shops.
This article has been funded by the Local Democracy Reporting Scheme.