IHREC welcomes UN move on housing act
The Irish Human Rights and Equality Commision (IHREC) has welcomed the intervention of the United Nations Special Rapporteur on the right to adequate housing, who has expressed concerns about a recent piece of legislation on housing.
IHREC says that Dr Koldo Casla has written to the Government to raised “serious human-rights and equality concerns” about the Housing and Residential Tenancies (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2026.
The legislation adds lawful residency and habitual residency to eligibility criteria for social-housing support.
‘Severe consequences’
The UN communication, dated 6 August, says that the act could result in entire households being denied social -housing support because of the residency status of one household member.
According to IHREC, Dr Casla warns that this could have severe consequences for victims of trafficking, people who have experienced domestic and gender-based violence, migrant communities, and other vulnerable groups.
He stresses that any laws or policies that reduce protection of the right to housing should be necessary and proportionate, should involve meaningful engagement with people affected, must not be discriminatory, and must ensure that the rights of the most disadvantaged are not disproportionately affected.
IHREC has previously raised concerns about the legislation – describing it as “rushed through without adequate scrutiny”.
‘Highly significant’ intervention
Chief commissioner Liam Herrick described the UN intervention as “highly significant”.
"The key question being posed to the Government by Special Rapporteur Casla is whether they have adequately considered the effect of this new law on people's human rights,” he stated.
The communication, and any response from the Government, will subsequently be made available through the UN human-rights reporting process and to the Human Rights Council.
Minister James Browne has told IHREC that the Government is satisfied that the legislation is compatible with the Constitution, and with European and international law.