'Inhumane' - Council hears 15 families are in emergency accommodation in Offaly

Offaly County Council has been informed that 15 families are living in emergency accommodation in the county. 

The housing section of the council delivered a presentation on the figures to the September meeting of Offaly County Council in Tullamore on Monday, September 17. 

The meeting learned that 15 family units are in emergency accommodation in the county, while a further 20 single people are also in temporary emergency accommodation. 

Councillors were told that almost 1,500 people are eligible for social housing with 675 of those currently on the social housing list, and 805 currently on the HAP scheme. Those on HAP are still eligible for social housing.

The housing section said that their target handed down by government is to provide 468 social housing units between 2017 and 2021. 

It was revealed that just 86 of those are projected to be direct builds, with over 100 expected to come from council acquisitions. Leasing, voids and refurbishment projects were also included in a figure of 522 Offaly County Council expects to provide by 2021. 

In the short-term, the meeting heard that the housing department expects a number of direct builds to be completed before the end of 2019.

Construction is due to commence on four units through housing agency Mid Offaly Housing in Mount Bolus, while work on 26 units at Killane Drive in Edenderry through Tuath and six at Scurragh with Cluid in Birr are set to begin before the end of the year.

Close to 100 others are at various stages of approval and progress.

Responding to the figures, particularly those outlining the number of families in emergency accommodation, Cllr Declan Harvey described it as "a terrible crisis."

He went on to say, "Emergency accommodation is not suitable for small kids - some of it is actually inhumane."

Cllr Peter Ormond added, "We have to get into the real world and increase supply somehow, and the Department needs to move things along faster."

The Fianna Fail member went on to call for more incentives for private sector building projects to add to the affordable and social housing stock. 

Cllr John Leahy spoke on the issues and questioned the rhetoric of Minister for Housing Eoghan Murphy who seemed to apply blame to councils in relation to action on housing. 

"If all county councils were working as efficiently as the housing section of Offaly County Council, there would be no need for such rhetoric out there."

Cllr Leahy also went on to express concern over a number of people on HAP schemes who are in unsuitable or unsatisfactory accommodation but who may be locked into contracts.

Having heard that the social houses commencing this year may not be delivered until late 2019 or early 2020, a number of councillors questioned the effectiveness of housing agencies in the building of social housing units. 

Cllr Declan Harvey asked, "Why can't council build houses directly like we used to? We always had a good record of delivering for people."

"Cllr John Carroll described the providers as "quango agencies" and wondered why the system was ever moved away from direct council building. 

While saying "this housing crisis needs to be addressed seriously," Cllr Carroll eluded to "too many schemes" who "take too long" to get houses from start to finish through all the stages required. 

He also criticised the Rebuilding Ireland Home Loans established in February of this year to help those who have been denied a mortgage through traditional lenders. The meeting heard that 39 applications for the loan had been received by Offaly County Council but just six loans to the value of €716,000 had been approved as of September 1.

Cllr Carroll criticised the level of deposit still required for the scheme, saying the main thing barring people from purchasing their own home is the process of renting as prices rise while also saving a 10% deposit. 

"You give it with one hand and take it away with the other, " Cllr Carroll said of the scheme. He went on to say that a motion of no confidence in Housing Minister Eoghan Murphy "can't come quick enough," adding that, "it should be tabled for the whole government."

Cathaoirleach Danny Owens concluded the lengthy discussion by agreeing with the view expressed about housing agencies and the protracted process of housing delivery they incur. He said he had expressed disagreement with such agencies "for a long time."

Following the discussion, a separate motion tabled by Fine Gael councillor Tommy McKeigue to establish a hostel in Offaly to help those in housing crisis was passed unanimously. Offaly County Council management indicated that on foot of the support, they would further the possibility. 

It's understood the Simon community are interested in getting involved and a number of locations are being mooted around the county, notably in Tullamore and Clara. 

The Housing Section of Offaly County Council is set to present to councillors on an ongoing basis.