Video: Universal Public Housing Explainer Videos 1 - 4
Universal Public Housing, also known as UP Housing, is a proposed new model of housing for Ireland. UP Housing would not only permanently end the housing crisis. It would also fundamentally transform Irish society for the better in the process.
Éirígí is leading the fight for UP Housing in Ireland. We understand that people cannot be expected to support UP Housing without first understanding what it is and how it would operate. To this end we have produced a new series of short UP Housing explainer videos featuring Cathaoirleach Éirígí, Brian Leeson.
In the first video in the series (directly below), Leeson answers the question ‘What is UP Housing?’ by highlighting the three key principles that underpin UP Housing, namely, universal access, income-linked affordable rent and security of tenure. And then goes on to explain the reasons why neither government nor main opposition parties are willing to support UP Housing.
In the second video, Leeson answers the question, 'Who Could Access UP Housing?’ by explaining that UP Housing would be open to everyone who is need of a home regardless of their class, occupation, age or income. This stands in strong contrast to the current model of income-segregated ‘social housing’ which is only open to those on low and very incomes.
In the third video, Leeson answers the question, ‘How Much Rent Would An UP Housing Resident Pay?’ by explaining that all UP Housing residents would pay an affordable rent directly linked to their household income. Linking rental rates to household income is the only way to ensure that nobody will pay more than one third of their disposable income in rent - the internationally recognised threshold for affordable rent.
In the fourth video, Leeson answers the question, ‘Would Universal Public Housing Deliver Security Of Tenure?’ by explaining that the absolute security of tenure provided by UP Housing would provide the best possible opportunities for strong, stable, vibrant, inter-generational, multi-income communities to develop. This stands in stark contrast to the current model of housing which actively undermine the creation of stable communities.
Additional UP Housing explainer videos will be published on this website and Éirígí’s social media platforms in the coming weeks. In the meantime you can find out more about UP Housing on the UP Housing campaign page here.
The state has the land, finances, expertise and legal power to establish Universal Public Housing. The only thing that is missing is the political will to make it a reality. That political will must be built at a community level in village, towns and cities across Ireland. If you’re ready to join the fight for UP Housing and for a New Republic, then join Éirígí today.