Why don't councillors talk as much about homelessness at meetings anymore?
For years, homelessness was a standing item on the agenda at most housing committee meetings. But, recently it hasn’t featured as often.
It’s time to shift strategies, some say, and ramp up lower-density affordable-purchase housing there instead.
At a recent meeting, they detailed plans to modernise Glovers Court, and part of Pearse House, without tearing them down.
They’ve pleaded for Martin Property Consultants to deal properly with leaking sewage, mould, cracked walls, and dripping ceilings.
Here’s a sample of what came up at a recent council meeting for the Blanchardstown-Mulhuddart, Castleknock and Ongar areas.
“The private rental market is not a solution to the housing crisis, most particularly for Travellers. Councils are also failing to deliver.”
Councillors say what’s needed in the city is more affordable housing, not sleeping pods in offices.
“A planning enforcement file will be opened and investigations will be carried out,” a council spokesperson says.
It suggested that a major chunk of unregistered tenancies are possibly ”informal” and don’t have to be registered. Does that bear out?
“Is it going to put the cost rental scheme in jeopardy?” asks independent Councillor John Lyons, after price hikes.
There should be a special funding stream for housing charities retrofitting older homes, said a spokesperson for the sector.
What’s the government doing to stop landlords from using extra charges to circumvent rent-pressure zone laws? Social Democrats TD Cian O’Callaghan has asked.
If Ó Cualann got the same deal with the state as commercial developer Batra did recently, it could crack on with building, says its CEO.