Housing body under fire over vandalism

PEOPLE are getting social housing in Limerick who shouldn’t be let into a field, it was claimed at a housing meeting of the city council.

The head of Respond, the voluntary housing agency, told the meeting that the very high level of anti-social behaviour in Limerick resulted in vandalism to the houses they provide for the city’s homeless.

A number of councillors launched scathing attacks on Respond during the housing Strategic Policy Committee meeting.

The agency was accused of neglecting its properties and councillors said it was responsible for anti-social behaviour due to the kind of clients it gave houses to.

Cllr Kevin Kiely said people were getting social housing in the city who he would not “put into a field”.

Mr Kiely said he had made repeated efforts to contact Respond after housing in Thomondgate owned by the agency was vandalised.

Mr Kiely recalled how he had failed to get Respond to secure a house which had been vacated and the house was subsequently set alight.

Ned Brennan, national director of Respond and its regional manager, Tony O’Brien were invited to make presentations to the Strategic Policy Committee.

However, before they could address the committee, Cllr John Cronin attacked Respond’s management of housing at Quarry Road, Thomondgate.

He said: “They don’t care who they put into their houses. They have no respect for other people living in the area.”

Cllr Pat Kennedy accused Respond of not communicating properly with the city council.

He said: “If Respond don’t match up, we should have nothing to do with them. I hope there will be a change of heart by Respond.”

Mr Kiely explained that over a one-month period, gardaí had been called on 14 occasions to a house owned by Respond at Quarry Road.

Mr Kiely said Respond should appoint a maintenance crew in Limerick to be available for call outs.

He said: “If Respond have to learn something, if they are going to do further development, they will have to have a proper maintenance staff and full-time staff here. They will also have to install CCTV in estates.”

Mr Brennan of Respond told the meeting they were engaging with their tenants in an effort to tackle anti-social behaviour. He said they wanted to actively engage with the city council in a cooperative approach.

He said: “Our staff have been responsive to issues raised with them and don’t want any acrimony or discord. We are here to help people who cannot provide accommodation for themselves. It is not in our interest to be creating disagreement with the local authority.”