Investment in social housing needed as families flee urban areas

A report has highlighted the crisis surrounding rising rents and lack of local authority houses in Cork city’s suburbs - leading to families fleeing larger urban areas to affordable rural locations to keep a roof over their heads.

The relocations, in many cases, are forcing families to cut traditional ties with their birthplaces, relatives, friends and face longer commutes to work.

The report, given to councillors representing satellite areas such as Ballincollig and Carrigaline, show there are currently 2,375 applications on the housing waiting list.