Labour election candidate says homeownership should not be a ‘pipe dream’

A candidate for Labour in the upcoming general election says homeownership should not be a “pipe dream” for people.

Councillor Laura Harmon, a candidate for the party in Cork South Central, made the comments as the Government look set to miss out on their housing targets for 2024.

Figures from the Central Statistics Office this week showed 21,634 units in total have been completed in the first three quarters of the year, down by more than three per cent on the first nine months of 2023.

It was also announced on Friday that the number of homeless people in the country reached 14,760 in September.

Speaking to BreakingNews.ie, Ms Harmon says she is concerned the housing crisis will lead to people renting when they become pensioners.

“The cost of housing today is very prohibited for people”, said Ms Harmon.

“I think if you work in this country, you are contributing to society. The idea of homeownership should not be a pipe dream, it should be something in everyone’s grasp.

“I think a…