More than 15,000 bids for 75 social homes in Cork in two months

On average, more than 200 bids are made on each property on Cork City Council's CBL (choice-based letting) system

The data released to Thomas Gould TD about Cork City's CBL system shows that there were more than 500 bids each for just 14 homes. Stock picture: PA

More than 15,000 bids were made on the 75 local authority houses advertised on Cork City Council’s choice-based letting system across two months.

New figures obtained under Freedom of Information legislation show that, on average, more than 200 bids are made on each available choice-based letting (CBL) property in Cork City during the eight-week period from the end of January  to the end of March.

CBL is an online system that allows local authorities advertise some of their social housing so approved social housing applicants can express an interest.

The figures also show that 14 CBL homes in Cork City recorded more than 500 bids each.

In one housing estate in Killeens, on the northside of the city, the figures show 945 bids were made on seven two-bedroom properties in the space of just one week in March, when the houses went live on the system.

Sinn Féin TD for Cork North-Central Thomas Gould described the data as 'shocking'. Picture: Brian Lawless/PA

Sinn Féin TD for Cork North-Central, Thomas Gould, who obtained the figures, described the data as “shocking”, and claimed the huge demand in Cork City for safe and secure housing is outstripping availability.

“People often contact my office just after midnight when these properties go up on the choice-based letting system," he said.

"They wait up because they are desperate and because they need somewhere to live.

“The Government keeps telling us they’re turning a corner on housing. But the numbers just don’t add up,” he said.

A spokesman for Cork City Council said the CBL system is not an accurate representation of housing demand because CBL applicants can bid on multiple properties.

They are not restricted to only bidding on properties in their preferred area or on properties suitable or appropriate to their household size or need, he said.

“As such, anyone can bid on every property advertised during the bid period. The CBL system is not an accurate representation of demand or need for a property type.

“The council monitors CBL activity on a monthly basis which gives a more accurate picture of the level of engagement applicants are having with the CBL system.”

He also pointed out that 729 social and affordable homes are currently under construction, with several hundred more going on site over the coming months.

However, Mr Gould said the construction pipeline is nowhere near enough to cope with the demand, proving that the Government’s housing targets are just too low.

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Meanwhile in Kerry, two people in their 90s and 12 people over the age of 80 are among over 800 people on the housing waiting list for a one-bedroom apartment in the Killarney Municipal District currently.

One of the people in their 90s has been on the list for 20 years — but is receiving housing assistance payment towards the rent and is happy in their private rented accommodation, a meeting of Killarney Municipal District heard.