Human rights commission publishes research on housing discrimination in Ireland

New research published by the Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission (IHREC) and the Economic and Social Research Institute (ESRI) has revealed the extent of discrimination and inequality in housing in Ireland.

The Discrimination and Inequality in Housing in Ireland study draws on a range of data, including the CSO’s Quarterly National Household Survey, the Census, and the Survey on Income and Living Conditions (SILC).

The research has found that specific groups, including disabled people, lone mothers and young people, are among those facing the highest levels of discrimination and inequality in housing.

Emily Logan, chief commissioner of the Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission, said: “Inequality and discrimination relating to housing has a disproportionate impact on certain groups, and represents a crisis within a crisis.

“If policy makers are to find a sustainable solution to the current housing crisis, they need to look at the experience of single parents, people with a disability, members of minority ethnic groups, and people in receipt of housing support payments, to name but a few.

“Addressing housing supply, and in particular the supply of social housing, is essential. However, a one-size-fits-all approach will not meet the needs of an increasingly diverse population. Both the private and public sectors need to step up to their obligations under equality and human rights law if we are to break the cycle of inequality and discrimination in housing.”

Dr Helen Russell of the ESRI, co-author of the report, added: “Access to adequate housing is a right protected under international law and is fundamental to the quality of life of individuals and families.

“Reversing the steep decline in the social housing stock over recent decades is essential for tackling inequalities in housing and addressing the needs of groups that are found to be disadvantaged on multiple housing dimensions, including lone parents, young people, people with disabilities and minority ethnic groups.

“Monitoring the equality impact of housing policies is important to ensure vulnerable groups are not left behind.”