'Couples considering giving up their jobs' in bid to qualify for social housing in Killarney

Council meeting hears new housing is out of reach for most people

There has been no affordable housing scheme in Killarney, or Tralee, it has been claimed. Picture: PA

A council meeting in Kerry has heard how working couples are considering giving up their jobs in order to qualify for social housing in Killarney — because they believe that is their sole means of getting a roof over their heads.

Only social housing has been built in the town and with private developments out of reach financially, for the first time ever people are approaching councillors and wondering if they should stop working, the meeting of Killarney Municipal District heard.

Previous meetings have been told how any new housing was out of reach for most local people.

There has been no affordable housing scheme in Killarney, or Tralee, it has been claimed.

Kerry Independent Alliance Councillor John O’Donoghue asked if any of the new developments granted permission would include an affordable housing element.

However, he was told that the opportunities under the Part V element — 20% of housing developments — would be ring fenced for social, not affordable housing.

Workers are being squeezed out, and the lack of housing is preventing emigrants from returning to take up jobs in healthcare and other sectors, the independent councillor claimed.

He said couples where both partners are working cannot qualify for social housing and yet cannot afford to buy a house in Killarney.

“These people, the squeezed middle classes as I’ll refer to them, are being forgotten about in our country with every kind of support coming for those who can’t or don’t work," Mr O'Donoghue said.

"Yet the ones who make up the bulk of the taxpaying people in this country are starting to feel that they receive very little in return for their hard work. 

"I am now starting to be asked the question for the first time ever by people 'would I be as well off quitting my job and going on the housing list as it seems to be the only hope I ever have of getting a house?'," he said.

The councillor asked whether, when there is such a situation where couples who, despite the two of them working in what would be considered good jobs, can’t afford to buy a house, is it a sign that the current housing system is fundamentally broken on a national scale.

Meanwhile, the council has advertised and received five expressions of interest from developers and house builders for affordable housing proposals in the urban settlements of Tralee and Killarney as of February 13.

Three of the submissions are located in the urban settlement of Killarney and two are in Tralee.

The scheme allowed for a maximum of 20 units each and are being forwarded to the Department of Housing for approval to access the Affordable Housing Fund. 

Most of the schemes submitted are at pre-planning stage, the council said in a reply to councillor Brendan Cronin.

Public representatives have long been complaining that only social housing is being built in Killarney and a whole cohort are being pushed out to outlying villages with football clubs and other longstanding Killarney institutions suffering a dramatic drop in numbers. 

They also say it is often the case that multiple houses in the town are regularly snapped up by companies for let. 

Supported by the Local Democracy Scheme