In May 2025, the stark realities of Ireland’s housing crisis were vividly displayed as hundreds of hopeful buyers queued overnight—some with young children, others in sleeping bags or cars—in a desperate bid to secure one of 38 newly released homes at the Seven Mills development in Dublin 22. Priced between €480,000 and €500,000, these three-bedroom homes were snapped up within two hours, leaving many disheartened despite having mortgage approvals up to €500,000.

One local resident expressed the collective frustration: “I am from Clondalkin and want to stay living here. It’s so disheartening.” Another potential buyer recounted arriving just five minutes too late, only to find all units sold. Such scenes underscore the acute shortage of affordable housing and the immense pressure on first-time buyers.

The situation is not isolated. In Leixlip, Co Kildare, earlier this year, over 100 first-time buyers faced similar disappointment at the Harpur Lane estate, where all 35 houses were sold before many arrived, despite some having slept in their cars for days. One couple, 79th on the list, lamented, “We thought this would be our shot.”

These incidents highlight a broader issue: the mismatch between housing supply and demand. The Central Statistics Office reported a 6.7% decline in residential property construction in 2024 compared to the previous year. With the Irish population increasing by over 200,000 in the last three years, the shortfall in housing is glaring.

In response, some officials advocate for radical measures. Tom Gilligan, Director of Services for Housing at Mayo County Council, proposed a boycott of vacant holiday homes to pressure owners into returning them to the long-term market. “We need homes for people, not just for seasons,” he asserted, emphasizing the urgency of addressing underused housing stock.

The government has initiated projects like the Shanganagh Castle Estate in Shankill, Co Dublin, aiming to provide affordable and social housing. However, with only 51 affordable purchase houses priced from €334,600 among 597 homes, the scale may not suffice to meet the burgeoning demand.

The recurring theme across these events is clear: Ireland’s housing crisis is intensifying, leaving many, especially first-time buyers, in precarious positions. Without significant and immediate interventions to boost housing supply and affordability, such distressing scenes are likely to become even more commonplace.

For more stories and insights, visit It’s On

Instagram:@itson.ie

TikTok videos and information:@itson.ie