Offaly councillor calls for emergency legislation to tackle housing crisis

An Offaly Councillor has made a call for emergency legislation to be brought in by the government in order to tackle the housing crisis.

Cllr Tony McCormack (Fianna Fáil) put a Motion to the October monthly meeting of Offaly County Council asking that they write to the Minister for Housing Darragh O'Brien requesting him to bring in emergency legislation which will allow local authorities “to build emergency housing units in their areas and that these units would be funded by his department.”

The councillor's motion was seconded. He pointed out that the housing section of the Council is working very hard in demanding circumstances.

“Our planning laws are too restrictive and slow down the housing process,” he said. “We need to free them up, make them more fit for purpose.” He added that 30,000 additional units have been created in the country over the last year but it's still not enough.

He pointed out that we have accommodated Ukrainian refugees, often in modular units, now it was time to accommodate Irish people. “I think we should build lots of modular homes for Irish people. They can be constructed in a short period of time, and have a lifespan of seventy years. I am impressed with modular homes. If you look at the modular homes for refugees in Clonminch Tullamore you will see they are just like a regular housing estate.”

He said he was feeling frustrated that the housing crisis is still continuing and a sea change in thinking is needed. “We need to be innovative, think outside the box. Let's make this happen.”

Cllr Peter Ormond said homeless people should not be housed outside Offaly if they are originally from Offaly. “They should remain in the county of their upbringing and not be moved elsewhere.”

Cllr Seán O'Brien praised the housing section. “It is a difficult job. You are dealing with people who are in dire straits and are emotionally wrung out.”

John Cunningham, Housing Officer, went through the latest statistics for the state of housing in the county. There are 543 people on the Social Housing Support List, which is an increase; and 639 on Housing Assistance Payments; 78 are in a Mortgage to Rent scheme; and 244 are leasing or in RAS (Rental Accommodation Scheme).

He pointed out that 17 families are homeless in Offaly at the moment; and there are 31 single people who are homeless.

So far, during 2023, 130 units have been provided through Approved Housing Bodies including Oaklee Housing, Sophia Housing and the Peter McVerry Trust.

He said the government's overall housing strategy, Housing for All, is aiming to provide 463 new units in the county by 2026. It's a little behind and will probably only manage 425 units by 2026.

Meanwhile, 78 units in the Council's housing stock have been retrofitted so far, at a cost of about 33,000 Euros each.

Cllr Seán O'Brien said that if you put the Social Housing Support List together with the Housing Assistance Payments then there are nearly 1,200 people in Offaly who don't have their own home and are relying for state support to have a roof over their heads. He criticised the Housing for All targets as being too small, not ambitious enough. He pointed out that the Council has increased its rents substantially. The homelessness situation is also completely unacceptable, he remarked.

Cllr O'Brien pointed out that the Peter McVerry Trust needs to put in place more wraparound services to look after its tenants. “The lack of adequate wraparound services is creating huge problems,” he commented. “The Peter McVerry Trust needs to step up to the mark.”

Cllr Noel Cribbin pointed out that the Council needs to acquire more land and build more social housing.

Cllr John Clendennen said the financial crisis in the Peter McVerry Trust is regrettable. “In light of this I think we should review all the Approved Housing Bodies that we are working with.”

Cllr Liam Quinn commented that he's not a fan of modular homes. “I think they are a bit of a stunt, to win more votes come election time. Their lifespan of 70 years is also too short.

“I am also worried about the governance of Approved Housing Bodies. Successive governments removed a lot of the social housing clout of local authorities. We should be given greater control over social housing because our governance system is better.”

A member of the Council executive said the Council has “a good working relationship with the Peter McVerry Trust. The Trust is trying its best to work with us.”