Concern as council acquires homes for social housing
Representatives of Ard Sionnach estate in Shana-kiel, on Cork’s northside, disrupted a meeting of the city council on Monday demanding answers about the proposal.
They shouted at councillors from the public gallery and one woman recorded the exchange on a mobile phone. It forced Lord Mayor Cllr Terry Shannon to adjourn the meeting for five minutes.
City officials warned the residents they would be thrown out if they didn’t abide by the rules which prohibit recording and interruptions.
When the meeting resumed, residents’ spokes-person Patricia O’Sullivan apologised but said they were just trying to get answers.
The 162-unit Ard Sionnach estate was built by Fleming Construction in recent years. Residents who bought privately said they paid between €280,000 and €320,000 for their home on the understanding a maximum of 15% of houses — mostly duplexes — would be used for social housing.
However, it has emerged the council plans to use a further 46 homes for social housing — 21 homes left over from the council’s affordable housing scheme, and another 25 acquired in bulk from Nama.
The council plans to decant or transfer people to Ard Sionnach from homes targeted for upgrades as part of the multimillion Knocknaheeny regeneration plan.
The move will push the mix of social housing in the estate from 15% to more than 25%.
Ms O’Sullivan said residents have several concerns about the proposal and had been denied certain information.
Residents also criticised the lack of communication from City Hall and they distributed a list of 18 questions to councillors they want answered.
Councillors backed the residents. Cllr Ted Tynan said: “These people made huge personal sacrifices to buy their homes when property prices were inflated. They have genuine concerns.”
City manager Tim Lucey said it would not be appropriate for him to give detailed answers to the residents’ questions during the public meeting.
“It would be more appropriate to do it in a forum where you can consider the answers and raise further issues,” he said.
However, he did defend the council’s social housing record.
“It would be wrong to suggest that the purchase of houses by Cork City Council is a negative thing,” he said.
“We have 8,500 houses across the city. We have a proud record of managing those houses and a proud record of managing regeneration schemes.”
He said the Knocknaheeny regeneration scheme will take up to seven years and added: “We have extensive professional experience of working with residents’ associations and we will get the right balance and right relationship.”
Senior housing officials are preparing answers for the residents, who are due to meet this evening.
