CONCERN OVER HOMELESS RISE
‘SHOCKING INCREASE’ WITH 150 HOMELESS IN LOUTH IN FEBRUARY
THE homeless crisis which peaked in Dublin two years ago is now hitting rural counties, with the latest figures showing that there were 150 people homeless in Louth.
Sinn Féin TD for Louth and East Meath Imelda Munster has hit out at the government over the cost of housing people in B&Bs, saying that the government needs to provide social and affordable housing if they want to solve the housing emergency continues to spiral out of control.
The figures contained in the Department of Housing’s Homelessness Financial Report for 2017 revealed that €1,360,968 was spent housing people in B&Bs in County Louth, as well as a payment of over €500,000 to Dundalk Simon Community’ and over €145,000 to Drogheda Homeless Aid.
Deputy Munster noted that the figures from the Department of Housing show that in February 2018 there were 150 people homeless in the county, an increase of 44.2% from the same time last year, which she described as ‘ an absolutely shocking increase’.
She criticised the government for not allocating money to Louth County Council to build houses, noting that the council had 53 acres of land banks lying idle. These land banks include over 16 acres at Ballymakenny outside Drogheda, 12 acres in Kilkerley, 9 acres at Louth Village, 7 acres on Mount Avenue and 5 acres at the Point Road, Dundalk.
Fianna Fail TD Declan Breathnach has suggested that action could be taken to ‘deal with the unscrupulous Vulture Funds coming in to buy up distressed mortgages and the housing problem in one move – by offering distressed mortgaged properties to the Local Authorities at the same knockdown prices that the vulture funds are getting them for.’
He praised Louth County Council for its ‘great track record on acquiring vacant properties under CPO’
“When you look at the homeless figures, it is imperative that urgent action is taken. In Louth, 65 people presented as homeless in January 2018, and a further 79 tenancies are being supported in order to prevent families becoming homeless.”
‘In Louth, there is a significant number of vacant dwellings arising from defaulting housing loans or actual repossession orders,’ he said, estimating that it accounting for 80% of all vacant dwellings. ‘ The financial institutions have in the first instance targeted the buy to let sector or defaulting landlords.’ He felt that as a large number of these dwellings are former local authority units and thus would be very suitable to the needs of the local authority.
Mr Joe McGuinness, Director of Service with Louth County Council, said: ‘We are equally concerned at the continued high numbers of people presenting as homeless and living in supported accommodation.’
‘ There is no doubt that the peak in homelessness which Dublin experienced two ears ago is now hitting rural Ireland, including Co Louth.’
He confirmed ‘a significant rise of homelessness in Drogheda’ but the rate was tapering off in Dundalk.
The lack of affordable houses in the rental markets was a major factor and the council was working to provide solutions for people who were finding it difficult to afford accommodation in the private sector.
‘ The Housing Assistance Payment (HAP) scheme has been quite successful, particularly in Dundalk and north Louth. By the end of April we will have no families in B&Bs or hotels in Dundalk and north Louth although the same can’t be said about Drogheda.’
Meanwhile, the Council is carrying out its 2018 Housing Needs Assessment which is a review of those applicants for social housing supports who were qualified on the social housing waiting list with Louth County Council prior to April 21st 2017.
Mr McGuiness said it was very important for people to fill in the forms which are being sent out and if they have moved, to let the council know of their new address. ‘If people don’t respond or have moved away, it will be assumed that they no longer have a housing need.’