‘Council housing target too low’

COUNCIL management was criticised at Monday’s full meeting of councillors over its purchase target of 28 houses in 2019. Councillors say the low figure, when compared with over 600 properties owned by private landlords that have been earmarked for rental under the HAP and RAP schemes, is poor.

There was general agreement that 28 houses is insufficient given the demand for housing in the county. KCC say their 2019 target is to build 157 properties as well as leasing 70 properties.

Cllr Maura Healy Rae said the high HAP figure is only ‘putting a façade’ on the problem of housing and called for an increase in the threshold as it is unfair.

“It (HAP) might make the stats look good but it is only delaying the supply of housing. This was only ever intended as a short-term measure,” Cllr Healy-Rae said.

Cllr Ferris said she was worried about the low number of houses purchased and did not want to see a situation where landlords would continue to ‘make a killing’ from the lack of housing. Her party colleague, Cllr Tom Barry expressed concern over the poor condition of some HAP properties, saying ‘they are not up to standard’.

Council management said it would have preferred a higher number for purchasing and that it plans to talk with the Department on the issue in the future. On the HAP, it said the threshold limit is a matter for government and that legal and statutory procedures are in place for landlords, whose tenancy agreements are not with KCC.