Figures highlight shocking housing wait

OVER 9,000 people seeking housing in the Fingal area can expect to wait up to seven years for accommodation, according to figures released by Fingal County Council.

In total there are 9,082 families and individuals patiently waiting to be rehoused.

Fingal’s housing policy is operated on a first come, first served basis, unlike Dublin City Council’s policy which is run on a points basis.

Housing in Blanchardstown is the most sought-after with 3,846 indicating a first preference for the Dublin 15 area.

As of April 4, a total of 1,986 people were waiting for housing in Swords, 1,715 had requested housing in Balbriggan and 1,553 in the Malahide/Howth area.

The majority of those on the housing list require two-bed accommodation.

Their wait will be lengthy considering Fingal County Council only allocated 415 dwellings in 2010 and 480 in 2011.

The council’s housing allocation for 2012 is

?¬6,400,000.

Dublin North East TD Tommy Broughan (Lab) described the waiting times as

“truly unbelievable in this day and age

?.

“It’s very disappointing to learn that the average waiting list is six to seven years which is dependent on the room need of the applicant, area of choice and the availability of suitable dwellings,

? he told Northside People.

“It is unacceptable to leave families and individuals waiting for housing for on average seven years.

“The fundamental issue is the lack of social housing and funding allocated from the Exchequer.

“Clearly the amount of money that the Government is allocating is insufficient and absolutely feeble. It goes nowhere to dealing with the problem.

“This is especially disgraceful when you think of how many empty housing units there are across the length and breadth of the country.

?

The figures released to Deputy Broughan also indicate that there are just under 600 individuals and families housed under the Rental Accommodation Scheme (RAS) and 33 people housed in Long Term Lease.

Deputy Broughan said he intends to highlight Fingal’s lengthy housing list and waiting times with Minister for the Environment Phil Hogan and Minister of State Jan O’Sullivan in the Dail.

Fingal County Council declined to comment on Deputy Broughan’s criticism of the figures.