Council survey of tenant waiting list

LOUTH County Council are writing to all 2,300 people on the council housing waiting list to update their tenancy register as part of the national ‘ housing needs assessment.’

Speaking at the July meeting of the Dundalk Municipal Committee, Senior Executive Officer, John Lawrence appealed to everyone who receives a letter from the local authority to make sure they update their details with the council’s housing section.

‘It is vital that applicants respond to the communication they receive from us. If we don’t get a response from them, their name will be removed from the housing waiting list.’

He explained that although the national ‘Housing Needs Survey’ will take place on September 21st, Louth County Council are gathering their data during the month of July.

‘ There have been 2,300 people contacted in advance due to the large numbers involved.’

He explained that the responsibility is on applicants to ensure their details are up to date and correct, or they risk being removed form the list.

Cllr. John McGahon asked ‘if people don’t receive letters, and don’t get their details updated, are they automatically off the housing waiting list, is there an appeals mechanism?’

Mr. Lawrence replied that if they can provide proof that they have remained living in the area, the council would be sympathetic to individual cases.

Cllr. Marianne Butler said that people often have changing circumstances, and they might not receive the letters from the council if they have moved.

She asked if this 2,300 included housing association figures along with council numbers. She was told the figure encompassed both.

Mr. Lawrence added that if people are on the waiting list and they don’t receive a letter from the local authority they should make contact with the housing office.

He said he appreciated ‘July is not the best month to do this with holidays,’ but added that the local authority had to get the survey underway.

He explained that those who have applied since September 2015 will not need to be contacted as they are considered ‘ live’ applications, and will remain on the list through to this September.