Political Platform: Rory Hearne TD

Housing academic and Social Democrats TD Rory Hearne speaks to eolas Magazine about his proposals for solving the housing crisis, why he decided to enter politics, and his political views beyond housing.

What inspired you to get into politics?

I have been working on issues of housing for over two decades: from researching how the shift in social housing policy to a market model resulted in communities being disadvantaged and public land sold in Dublin for my PhD in the early 2000s, to then working full time on the ground as a community worker and regeneration policy officer in Dolphin’s Barn addressing issues of substandard housing, community engagement, and council-led social housing regeneration from 2007 until 2013, to then researching economic and housing policy with the think tank, TASC, and then going lecturing and researching in social policy and housing as an associate professor in Maynooth University and writing two books on housing, Housing Shock (2020) and Gaffs (2022).

All that time I was also actively campaigning with community groups for a right to housing and addressing the growing housing crisis in Ireland, including with Home for Good and Raise the Roof. Within all this work, I saw how politics shapes housing policy and the outcomes for people on the ground.

I wanted to be at the heart of shaping housing policy and solve this housing disaster and I got involved with the Social Democrats as, for me, they were leading on shifting our approach to how housing is treated in social democratic countries like Sweden, Austria, and Denmark: as a human and social right. I wanted to get into politics to make a difference for everyone locked out of housing and to bring real change for people in Dublin North West and across this country.

What has been your proudest achievement in politics?

Well I am only elected one year, but what a year it has been. I am proud of the policies I have developed with the Social Democrats in our proposal for the Homes for Ireland state-led savings scheme like the Livret A in France that has the potential to fund thousands of affordable homes, and our alternative housing budget which included proposals for funding a state-led housing delivery programme including modular home factories, a state construction company, and getting local authorities and approved housing bodies (AHBs) to lead in the delivery of social and affordable housing.

I am proud of challenging the Government’s policy agenda of making very negative changes that affects renters such as removing the inter tenancy rental cap and their ongoing failure to ban no fault evictions.

Who do you admire in politics or public life?

There are many people who have inspired me and influenced me in terms of being a voice for social justice. People like Peter McVerry, Mary Robinson, Christy Moore, Rita Fagan, John Bissett, Róisín Shortall, Catherine Connolly, Greta Thunberg, Bernie Sanders, and Noel Browne.

“I am proud of challenging the Government’s policy agenda of making very negative changes that affects renters such as removing the inter tenancy rental cap and their ongoing failure to ban no fault evictions.”

Rory Hearne TD

What drew you to the Social Democrats?

I was very impressed by people like Róisín Shortall, Catherine Murphy, and Holly Cairns and their vision for a social democratic Ireland: their politics that sought a better Ireland built on valuing public services, ensuring people have access to health, education, housing, and decent standards of income and services, and that the economy should work for society and not just corporate profit and endless mindless growth.

What are your key priorities for your constituency?

The key priorities are addressing the cost-of-living crisis and the housing issues, along with ensuring public transport works for people, ensuring children with disabilities and additional needs have access to proper services and appropriate school places, and supporting community social enterprises, and that local parks, playgrounds, and sports facilities are there for people.

I also believe in young people and involving them in politics and their communities. I think we need to develop affordable community-led housing that can provide affordable homes to buy and rent on a cooperative basis, that nurtures community and enables our young and old to find affordable housing that is suitable for their needs.

What are your interests outside of work?

I have three young children aged six, 10, and 11 so when I am not working I am parenting, well, even when I am working I am parenting too, on the school and sports WhatsApp groups etc! It is crazy, but I always put my kids first. They are the most important thing. I also really love sports. I still run and play hurling with Whitehall Columcilles GAA.