A new unit in Dublin City Council is aiming to “greatly improve the transparency of the housing market.”
The Dublin Housing Observatory (DHO) launches today, complete with an interactive map for property prices, rents and services across the capital.
The map uses “up to date and verified information” on the housing market from a range of State authorities in an effort to provide to provide objective data on housing in the city.
It is hoped the data can help to make Dublin an affordable and sustainable place to live.
Dáithí Downey will head up the new Dublin Housing Observatory – which has an interactive map that the public can use.
“You will be able to see the distribution of rents and rent increases,” he said.
“You will be able to see where it is hot and where it is not in terms of prices for rents – and also for sales.”
And Dáithí Downey of @DubCityCouncil reminding us that 40% of Dubliners rent their homes, rents continue to rise, many immigrants live in sub-standard accommodation, and cost rental housing is the way forward #AffordableDublin pic.twitter.com/uJKKnwGDyh
— Ciarán Cuffe (@CiaranCuffe) June 19, 2018
Eoghan McCarthy is from the All Island Research Observatory or AIRO – in Maynooth University.
He says the map will help prospective buyers learn more about their neighbourhood too;
“There is a lot of services days there so you can look at crèches, you can look at schools, you can look at health services,” he said.
“You can really build up a very rich understanding of any area you want to look at.”
Exciting new Dublin Housing Observatory launched this morning providing important data on housing to better inform housing policy. @DubCityCouncil @sdublincoco @MaynoothUni @AIRO_MU @OS pic.twitter.com/qP4PlsZ0Ul
— Eoin Ó Broin (@EOBroin) July 9, 2018
Sinn Féin housing spokesman Eoin Ó Broin said it is a welcome development, but warned that more government action is required.
“We have to have accurate data and for far too long, Government has relied on dodgy statistics,” he said.
“Thankfully whether you have the CSO or the OSI or the likes of Maynooth University, we have much better data sets.
“Of course data is one thing but a proper Government response is another.
“It is not just important to have accurate data – but then government needs to start investing to meet the housing needs of families and people out there.”
