Desperate Measures, Delayed Answers: Families Build Backyard Homes as Housing Crisis Deepens

It’s heartbreaking to see what families are being forced to do just to keep a roof over their loved ones’ heads in our own community. This isn’t just a housing "issue" anymore; it’s a crisis of conscience, and we’re seeing its effects play out in the most desperate ways imaginable.

Here are the hard facts:

• Families are building log cabins and modular homes in their own back gardens in areas like Ballyfermot, Drimnagh, and Crumlin, simply because they have nowhere else to house their children, parents, or other relatives.
• There’s a serious lack of clear legal guidance from Dublin City Council’s planning department. Councillors and everyday citizens alike are confused about what’s permissible, leading to uncertainty and potential chaos.
• Current regulations are outdated and inflexible. While the council acknowledges the crisis, they often classify these backyard structures as "separate living spaces," requiring complex planning permissions, and national legislative updates that could provide clarity are moving at a snail’s pace.

As a Christian, I believe we’re called to care for our neighbors, especially "the least of these." This isn’t some abstract problem happening far away; it’s happening right here, in our own backyards. People are desperate, using their ingenuity to keep their families housed, and we’re letting bureaucracy stand in the way of basic human dignity. We cannot turn a blind eye when families are scrambling for shelter. It’s our moral duty to find compassionate, practical solutions, not just more committees and endless consultations. We need clear answers and swift action to help our neighbors find stable, dignified housing.

This story was analyzed for Christ P2P. You can read the original reporting here: https://www.dublinlive.ie/news/dublin-news/log-cabins-could-alleviate-chronic-33482397