Housing report - State must take duties seriously

The annual report of the national housing agency, Threshold, published today, highlights the need for radical action to halt the growing number of slums that are developing.

People are being compelled to lives in substandard conditions while local authorities are essentially ignoring their complaints. These authorities were clearly ducking their responsibilities in relation to substandard housing conditions in 2004.

More than 20,000 people sought help, but less than 5% of 150,000 dwellings were inspected. Some 30% of those inspected dwellings were found to be below the prescribed minimum standard, but only four landlords were prosecuted.