Public meeting to discuss city’s ‘housing crisis’

A POLITICIAN urged people who are being priced out of Cork’s housing market to attend a public meeting tomorrow to discuss the city’s “housing crisis”.

Socialist Party city councillor Mick Barry last night described the situation as a “ticking time-bomb” following the release of figures which show increases in the city’s social and affordable housing waiting lists.

They show that the number of eligible applicants on the social housing waiting lists, combined with those awaiting report, has risen almost 25% since last June.

The number on the city’s affordable housing waiting lists has risen 12% since February 28.

Mr Barry said the figures should be giving Cork’s political establishment sleepless nights.

He called on city management to adopt a get-tough policy with developers to ensure they deliver more affordable housing.

Council officials had been praised two weeks ago at the launch of one of the country’s single largest affordable housing schemes in Shanakiel. The project will deliver 347 housing units, ranging in price from €170,000-€230,000, within the next two years.

The public meeting will take place at 8pm tomorrow in the Victoria Hotel, St Patrick Street.