Government urged to get building

A NORTHSIDE councillor has urged the next Government to start building houses again to alleviate the homeless crisis.

Cllr Larry O’Toole (SF) said in the past, the Government built thousands of new homes even though the country was in the depths of an economic recession.

“It’s time for the incoming Government to do the same again,” said Cllr O’Toole after he visited the new modular homes in Poppintree, Ballymun which are due to open shortly.

Dublin City Council has plans to build a similar scheme, comprising 38 modular homes, in Belcamp, one of the areas Cllr O’Toole represents. 

“After visiting the new fast build homes in Poppintree, I support the concept,” he said.  

“Dublin is in the midst of an unprecedented housing crisis. Homelessness is a consequence of that crisis.

“Fast build housing is not the panacea to this housing crisis. It was never meant to be. It was proposed to meet the needs of those families languishing in overcrowded hotel rooms and B&BS.

“The long-term solution is to fund Dublin City Council to build proper, sustainable homes on public land. Governments did it in the past in areas like Kilmore, Coolock and Darndale.”

Cllr O’Toole said he is personally dealing with a “couple of hundred” of his constituents on the housing and homeless lists.

“Anyone that I have spoken to would gladly move into the new modular homes to get out of B&Bs or hotel room accommodation,” he stated.

Initially, there was some opposition to the modular housing plan in Poppintree. Asked whether there might be similar opposition in Belcamp, Cllr O’Toole replied: “If the new homes are of a good quality and blend in with the existing area, I think most people acknowledge that young families need and deserve adequate and suitable accommodation.”

Meanwhile, another local councillor, Alison Gilliland (Lab), tabled a motion to Dublin City Council recently on the modular housing issue in Belcamp; and also two other sites in the area with a proposal for four three-bed houses and 24 senior citizens’ apartments in total.   

In regard to the modular housing plan, Cllr Gilliland called on the city council to meet with local residents’ groups and “consideration be given to their concerns and views”. 

“Everyone agrees that hotel and B&B emergency accommodation is inappropriate for homeless families,” said Cllr Gilliland. 

“Rapid build homes that are either modular or a combination of modular and brick can provide for a more normal family life for homeless families while they await more permanent accommodation. 

“However, it is imperative that local residents are kept informed about the type of housing being provided and works taking place on the ground.” 

Cllr Gilliland said homeless families are contacting her on a daily basis, many from the Dublin 17 area. 

“I would hope that some of those from the local area or with family supports in the area would be given the opportunity to be accommodated in the Belcamp rapid build houses,” she added.

A spokeswoman for Dublin City Council said it intends to complete 38 rapid build homes in Belcamp for families currently experiencing homelessness and living in hotel rooms. 

“The homes are to be completed by autumn of 2016 and the city council has informed the area committee members of its plans, and has been in contact with the Belcamp Estate Steering Committee (BESC) residents’ group,” she said. 

“The city council intends to appoint a design team for the two remaining sites in Belcamp in the coming weeks for the provision of social housing. “The homes will be allocated from the social housing list.”