Euro housing complaint includes Northside estates

A NUMBER of Northside estates are at the centre of a complaint about social housing lodged against Ireland to the European Committee of Social Rights in Strasbourg.

The complaint from the International Federation for Human Rights (FIDH) highlights substandard housing and poor community facilities and features conditions in O’Devaney Gardens, Dominick Street and Croke Villas in the north inner city.

Other areas on the Southside and in Limerick are also mentioned in the 51 page report that includes evidence gathered from tenants across 20 communities in Ireland.

The complaint submitted earlier this month alleges that Irish law, policy and practices on social housing do not comply with European housing, social protection and anti-discrimination standards.

In the report local authority tenants report dampness, mould, fungal contamination, sewage invasions, smells and poor maintenance. Medical evidence also suggests that poor conditions are having significant health implications for tenants, particularly for children and vulnerable adults.

The report also claims that crime and anti-social behaviour are commonplace in areas dedicated to local authority housing and families lack effective remedies to raise grievances and address their home’s

“defective, inadequate and substandard conditions.

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“The right to adequate housing is a fundamental human right and a prerequisite for the enjoyment of other rights and the appropriate development of families and children,

? said FIDH President Karim Lahidji.

“It is unacceptable that those who live in social housing accommodation are not adequately protected against violation of this right. These tenants are often among the most vulnerable in society and those who need the most to be protected against poverty and social exclusion.

“Ireland must act swiftly to ensure adequate housing conditions for local authority tenants and that its laws, policies and social housing programmes respect the rights enshrined in the European Social Charter.

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Sinn Féin housing spokesperson and Dublin North West TD, Dessie Ellis, welcomed news that the complaint had been filed.

“We believe firmly that the state has a responsibility to house people and is best placed to meet the housing needs of our population through local authority housing,

? he said.

“This housing though must meet a standard which ensures the health and well-being of tenants.

“Successive Governments including the current regime have failed miserably to meet that standard for many tenants particularly in older estates in Dublin City.

“They have turned their back on their responsibility to provide housing and in so doing have allowed conditions to slip so much that this complaint has been lodged.

“I believe complaint is utterly credible and hope that it serves as a warning that Government must step up to the plate and start to deal with these issues.

“One billion euro has been cut from housing since Budget 2008. The right to housing is still not recognised and the government policy is to shirk its responsibility onto voluntary bodies and subsidised private landlords.

“While this attitude remains the details of this complaint will continue to be a problem and the state will continue to violate the human rights of families it is charged with supporting and protecting.

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It’s understood it will take up to 18 months for the Council of Europe to make a decision on the complaint. However, if a violation is found the Government will have to respond immediately.