RENTS SOAR IN HOUSING CRISIS

County faces growing homelessness as surging rental costs are revealed

LOUTH is facing a ‘spike in homelessness’ with young families forced into emergency accommodation amid a shortage of housing.

The crisis situation was revealed at a meeting of the Dundalk Municipal Committee where councillors heard Louth is now in the same position faced by local authorities in Dublin and Galway two years ago.

The news came as latest figures showed rental costs in Louth have soared by over 15% in 2016, with average rents now at €913, a jump of 50% over the last few years.

The Argus has learned that the Minister of State for Housing and Urban Renewal, Damien English, is set to meet with Louth County Council in Dundalk this Friday, where councillors will highlight the crisis.

A crisis in homelessness in Louth was highlighted at the monthly meeting of the Dundalk Municipal Committee, with concerns raised about families with young children being forced into emergency accommodation.

The November meeting heard that Louth was now facing a ‘ spike in homelessness’ which was similar to what major cities such as Dublin and Galway had experienced two years ago.

The issue was raised by Cllr. Edel Corrigan who asked if there were any plans in place to tackle the growing problem, which in some cases can see people on waiting lists for many years to get a permanent home.

The latest figures before the committee showed that in September alone there were 61 people who presented as homeless in the Dundalk area alone.

Senior Executive Officer, Joe McGuinness explained how the situation was now ‘ a worrying trend’, and at one stage last month the local authority had over 100 people in emergency accommodation.

He said there were a growing number of families among these numbers, who had been affected by house repossessions.

Mr. McGuinness added that as a result of the crisis Louth County Council have been utilising a range of emergency accommodation options including hotels and B&B’s.

He said that the local authority also needed the private rented sector to respond to the need for housing.

Cllr. Corrigan asked if there was any investment from the department in the efforts being made to tackle the crisis.

Mr. McGuinness said the council were making applications for grants for those who are in emergency accommodation settings.

He highlighted the range of programmes which were featured in the monthly housing reports for members.

Chairman, Mark Dearey said it was ‘extremely difficult’ for families to cope with the loss of their home, and then be faced with going into emergency accommodation.

He asked if there were situations where children had to go from a hotel in the morning to school.

Mr. McGuinness said there were some cases of this nature.

The chairman added that it was clear the Municipal Committee had to come up with ideas to alleviate the growing crisis.