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A chairde,

The Rent Pressure Zone Working Group have launched a position document with 3 demands after the news that the government could be lifting Rent Pressure Zones at the end of this year. You can review the position document HERE.

As part of the beginning of the campaign on RPZs, the Union has launched an important survey to collect information about how the lifting of the RPZs will affect renters.

Please share the below outward facing survey with your fellow branch members, neighbours, friends and networks to assist with collecting as much information as possible:

RPZ Survey Link

Following on from the action at the end of last month at the Housing Agency, union members are set to meet the CEO and Chair of the Housing Agency in the coming weeks to discuss the Union’s position and demands.

Reps from the working group are organising IRES and Vestry Tenants as part of the campaign. To get involved with the working group you can join the WhatsApp HERE or alternatively email their new email address at [email protected]

Relatedly, CATU Rathmines-Ranelagh are holding a protest at 12:00 on Saturday at the Swan Leisure Centre in Rathmines, setting out the following demands:

• - Don’t lift RPZs: keep what little protection we have in place until there is a better alternative to protect tenants

• Cut the rent: rents are too high across the board, needing to be cut in line with people’s income

• Build public housing: we can’t rely on landlords and developers treating renters like cash cows. The state needs to build public housing at scale and lift the income caps on public housing

We’re currently running a petition in relation to the Tenant-in-Situ scheme, which was created to prevent homelessness by allowing local authorities to purchase homes where tenants are at risk of no-fault evictions. Right now, though, it’s failing the people it was meant to protect.

Instead of keeping renters in their homes, the scheme is underfunded, tied up in red tape and restricted by narrow criteria. Local authorities are often unable to buy properties in high-demand areas, even when the tenant qualifies — simply because they’re priced out or the home needs renovation. This is despite the fact that an estimated 75% of rental properties don’t meet minimum housing standards.

Please take a minute to sign and share our petition so that we can hold the Government accountable for their failings.

Tenant-in-Situ Survey Link

CATU Galway has been doing a huge amount of work the last few months and it's time to put the feet up for a day, socialise, chat, and enjoy some food and tunes ✨

Sunday 27th April 1pm @ Farther Burke Park 🪷

Bring a dish, blanket, and instrument if you have one 🎻

United Against Racism—alongside several CATU branches and many other anti-racist and community groups—will be countering the far-right march planned for Saturday, April 26th. Start time is 13:30 at the GPO.

When left unchallenged, these far-right rallies spread fear in our communities. Everyone in Dublin - and everywhere else - deserves to feel safe and welcome, no matter where they’re from. On Saturday, groups will stand together to show that Dublin is a multicultural, inclusive city—and we won’t let racism take hold.

On Monday, May 5th CATU members are invited to take part in an in-person workshop: Community Action Archives, being run in collaboration with the South Inner City Community Development Association (SICCDA), the Liberties Community Project and NCAD.
The event will take place at the Usher Street Community Centre, Dublin 8, from 10am.

The event will discuss a proposed Housing Action Archive to be set up at 90 Meath Street, and will feature a talk from the Interference Archive.

From 3pm, there will be a CATU breakout session to focus on digitally archiving union materials and activities, focusing on sample materials from the Liberties branch.

Members are welcome to attend for the whole day, or for the CATU session at 3pm only.

The session will give members the chance to think about what from the union is valuable to preserve, and to learn skills and exchange ideas on how to archive materials effectively. This is vital so that the stories of tenants, communities and activists can be heard, both now and into the future.

Lunch and refreshments will be provided.

🏠 Housing Support Groups are back! Now coming to the Southeast🔥

Struggling with rent hikes, eviction threats, dodgy landlords, or homelessness? You’re NOT ALONE – and together, we can fight back!

CATU Wexford-South Wicklow are running this session and will be on hand to show you how to:

✅ Share stories and strategies– meet others in the same boat and how have you dealt with these situations
✅ Turn frustration into action– from letter-writing to direct action (and what that looks like, together)
✅ Challenge landlords & councils– know your rights and use them
✅ Build power in your area, and we’re aiming to build 2 HSGs– Gorey & Wexford Town!

We need people to facilitate these trainings and other people to provide ongoing support, so come along and find out what role you can play.

No experience needed– just bring yourself, your stories and your will to fight. Let’s turn it into real change!

📍 Where? Wexford Arts Centre, meet at reception beforehand
⏰ When? Saturday, May 3rd, 12-2PM
💥 Can’t make it? Drop [email protected] a line and they’ll help get you set up with support group members in your community

CATU Louth ran a successful Spring Training event last weekend.

The day began with short presentations followed by practical workshops that can be applied to real-life situations, taking in themes such as doorknocking, recruitment and community building. Later, attendees began planning an exciting new project with Upstate Theatre Project (more on that to follow!).

The latest editions of the great Rent Strike Roadshow take place next Tuesday, April 29th and again on Saturday, May 17th, courtesy of CATU Tallaght.

On April 29th, the venue is Rua Red, Belgard Square, Tallaght with a start time of 19:00 and on May 17th, it’ll take place at 14:00 in Jobstown Community Centre.

Entry on both occasions is free but places are limited - you can register for attendance HERE.

That’s all for this week, and there’s no newsletter next week, so happy May Day in advance. Up the workers!

In Solidarity,

Naoise Faogáin
National Administrator

Community Action Tenants Union - CATU Ireland
www.catuireland.org