9,000 on city’s social housing waiting list

CORK city’s social housing crisis was branded a “scandal” last night after it emerged that the number of people on its waiting list has soared over the 9,000 mark for the first time.

And there appears to be no hope for those waiting after confirmation of a 90% cut in the Government’s housing construction grant to the city council — from €55 million in 2009 to just €5m this year.

A report presented to city councillors shows that as of May 31, there were 8,860 eligible applicants on the city’s social housing waiting list, with a further 174 people awaiting assessment — a combined total of 9,034. Of those:

* 73 people are living in accommodation unfit for human habitation.

* 292 are living in overcrowded conditions.

* And 1,890 need alternative accommodation based on compassionate or medical grounds.

The report also shows that the council housed 26 people last month (excluding transfers) who had waited a combined total of 163 years — an average waiting time of more than six years each.

Socialist Party councillor Mick Barry said the cut in the housing construction grant will condemn thousands more to languish on the list for years to come.

“It is a scandal that huge numbers of people are being left to rot on the social housing waiting lists at a time when 120,000 homes lie empty in 2,800 ghost estates nationwide,” he said.

“Properties owned by developers now in NAMA should be seized by the state and used to directly house people off local authority social housing waiting lists.”

City officials said this year’s grant is “adequate to meet the anticipated commitments” — the construction of 61 units in the Meadows development in Hollyhill; 34 units in Lovers’ Walk; and 59 units in the Glen Phase 11 project.

A further 100 units are due to come on stream at the Atkins Hall development on Lee Road.

But when these units are complete, Mr Barry said there will be no money for one-off purchases, or to start new schemes.

Sinn Féin councillor Mick Nugent also hit out at delays in repairing vacant council houses.

“Not only is it a disgrace that these houses should be empty while there are people in desperate need of accommodation, they frequently become dumping grounds or magnets for antisocial behaviour,” he said.

An attempt by the council last year to promote the Government’s Long Term Leasing initiative drew a blank. Just 57 private landlords expressed an interest and all the properties were deemed unsuitable for the council’s needs.