Seminar examines housing issues in the county

Greystones recently played host to a County Wicklow Public Participation Network (PPN) seminar examining the various issues around housing in the county.

A number of presentations were made at the Hillside Church Hall on Saturday, June 11.

Jackie Carroll, Senior Executive Officer in Housing and Corporate Estate at Wicklow County Council outlined the national and local policy in relation to housing, the council’s housing functions and the current situation, regarding local supply, support, reform and more.

Hugh Brennan from O Chualann Co-housing Alliance explained how this voluntary company, in cooperation with Dublin City Council, is developing quality affordable housing for those not adequately served by the current markets and who do not qualify for social housing.

Vicky Harris from the Simon Community gave a presentation on the service’s efforts to support the homeless in Co Wicklow.

The group discussion highlighted the many challenges, frustrations and issues for those desperately seeking homes and for the service providers themselves. Among the issues raised were that accommodation is unaffordable both in the home ownership and rental market and the lack of accommodation in general, which all contribute to the currently high homeless statistics.

Participants believe that the new minister for housing’s priorities should be to build social and affordable housing while targeting vacant accommodation as well as legislating for rent control.

The next Co Wicklow PPN seminar will be on Saturday, July 16, in the Ashford Community and Heritage Centre. ‘Let’s Talk About Our Rivers, Natural Waterways, and Surrounding Areas’ will be of interest to those with an interest in protecting natural waterways for the ecological and recreational benefit of this and future generations.

For more information about Co Wicklow PPN, contact Helen Howes on 087 1895145 or countywicklowppn@ gmail.com.