Nine applicants on the housing list for 10 years

NINE APPLICANTS are on Wexford County Council’s housing list since 2007, Gorey Municipal District councillors learnt last week. Figures presented at the meeting by Niall McCabe of the housing section also showed that 12 applicants are on the list since 2008; 14 since 2009; and 20 since 2010.

Cllr Malcolm Byrne was concerned at the length some people have waited. ‘How long do we expect them to continue to have to wait?’ he asked.

Mr McCabe agreed it wasn’t right that some people have waited so long. ‘Some have been offered a house and refused it, or the level of need that they have may not be as high as others,’ he said.

‘People come to us who have been on the list for five years, are in inadequate housing, and are from the area,’ said Malcolm. ‘ There has to be greater consideration given to people from the area who have been waiting this long.’

‘I do think in the next three years there will be considerable improvements in this area,’ Mr McCabe replied.

Cllr John Hegarty had sympathy for the housing staff, but felt 10 years is too long. Though people qualified for the list, if they are deemed not to be a priority, he said, they might wait several years, while others who come on the list after them, are deemed to be a higher priority. ‘So why are they going on the list in the first place?’ he asked.

Mr McCabe told him that length of time is just one of 11 categories considered, but they do welcome rep- resentations from the councillors as additional information allows them to make better decisions.

Cllr Mary Farrell didn’t agree, saying she brought information to them that wasn’t considered. She understood the difficulties, but asked how a person becomes a priority. ‘Do they have to be made homeless?’ she asked. ‘ There has to be another way of looking at this.’

Cllr Joe Sullivan knew of a council house in Gorey boarded up for a month. ‘Does it not behove the council to get it into the housing stream as soon as possible?’ asked Cllr Sullivan. ‘If the staff are too busy, get a contractor in and get the job done.’

Cllr Robbie Ireton was aware of a vacant house where rent arrears built up and the tenant was abroad, and the council was in a legal process to get them out.

‘If the council doesn’t have the keys, then use a sledge,’ suggested Cllr Anthony Donohoe.

Cllr Byrne wondered about figures which suggested between 100 and 150 new social homes will be made available annually for the next three years in Gorey. ‘I think by 2020 you’re close to that figure, provided all the planning comes through,’ replied Niall. ‘Without the private housing sector, it will be very difficult to solve the current housing crisis.’

‘Any form of housing is welcome, but the basic problem is over-reliance on the private sector,’ said Cllr Fionntán Ó Súilleabháin.