Refurbishing empty houses could clear list
ALMOST 1,000 people remain on the housing list in Drogheda, while council properties lie vacant waiting for funding to bring them up to habitable standards.
Councillors spoke of their frustration at the November meeting that lack of funding seemed to be stalling refurbishments of council-owned houses, which could take housing tenants off the lengthy waiting list.
“It is shocking and disgraceful that there are literally people sleeping on the streets or in rented accommodation who could have homes if we could do them up,” said Cllr Tommy Byrne
“Is it lack of funding or someone to carry out the work, because I know of one family on the housing list for nine years and four months, and what hope have they got if we can’t get even one house done?”
There are 854 people on the housing list - with 56 properties requiring major refurbishing and 35 minor work. Newly appointed Director of Housing Paddy Donnelly agreed it was a bad situation but was due to lack of funding.
“It is indeed shocking that there are a number of properties and the finance is not there to bring them up to the standards to let them,” he told the meeting.
Following a request from Cllr Paul Bell, he pledged to find out how much funding would be needed to address the issue. “I’ve also received many queries about broken central heating systems, and we are now heading into a very chilly period, and tenants don’t want to entering winter questioning a basic necessity in the home,” added Cllr Bell.
It is estimated to cost a five-figure sum to refurbish a house to be re-let, and recent statements by officials have also indicated there are no more funds for repairs on let houses.
“Some faults can be easily rectified by restarting the system, but I will cost what it would take to replace others.” added Mr Donnelly. “But trying to please everyone is not going to happen.”