High rents in Mayo affecting mental health of people, says election candidate
Independent local election candidate Harry Barrett said high rents are having a significant impact on the mental health of people
A Mayo local election candidate has said he is 'deeply concerned' by the impact high rents are having on people in the county town.
Independent candidate Harry Barrett stressed the situation is dire and it is having a significant impact.
He stressed this morning there was nearly 1,000 short-term lets in county Mayo listed on Airbnb with only 35 long-term lets advertised for the region on Daft.ie.
"As an independent candidate in Castlebar, I am deeply concerned about the mental health effects of high rents in and around Castlebar. It's clear that many people are struggling," Mr Barrett said. "High rents make people feel stuck. They can't save up for a deposit to buy a house because so much of their income goes towards rent. This makes them worry that they'll never be able to own a home because of the high prices."
Mr Barrett said the result of the crisis is now very much about the well-being of individuals, couples and families.
"People feel down because they see others getting on with life, yet their dreams of a home seem distant. They feel poorer too because so much of their income is going on their rent," he said. "This government has led us to this situation where the failure to build enough social and affordable homes over the last 20 years has given us the highest rents ever."
Mr Barrett said the failure to regulate Airbnb, a platform that has taken up all of the long-term rental means that there is a severe shortage of properties for young families to rent, and those that are available are at 'extortionate' prices.
"Shockingly, in Mayo there is a 27:1 ratio between short-term let's and long-term lets and this government sits on its hands and says nothing about this. It is unconscionable," he said. "As your Independent candidate, I will work tirelessly to bring attention to this issue and fight for policies that help people find stable and affordable housing in and around Castlebar. No one should have to sacrifice their mental health because of high rents."
