Minutes:
Ms Mary Quinn gave a presentation on the Housing Action Plan 2022-2026, as circulated to the members and she confirmed this Housing Action Plan will be submitted to the Department by 17th December 2021. The total social housing units to be delivered over the lifetime of the plan is 139 units.
Councillor Guckian queried where the funding was coming from for the delivery of Housing as set out in the plan. Councillor Guckian said he opposed the plan, as it was totally inadequate and confusing, and he said there was no provision for a hostel for homeless persons in Carrick-on-Shannon. There was no clear reference to an apartment block, and he sought clarification if an apartment is equivalent to a house. Councillor Guckian said there should be more housing provided directly by the Council. Councillor Guckian sought clarification the legality of taking over vacant properties.
In reply to the queries raised by Cllr Guckian, Ms Quinn responded as follows:
• Funding, which is a very significant amount, will come from the Government
• The Housing Action Plan is based on the template provided by the Department.
• It is not a matter for the members to adopt the Housing Action Plan. All local authorities develop a Housing Delivery Action Plan for submission to the Department, that sets out details on how it is intended to meet the social housing delivery targets over the period 2022-2026.
• The plan sets out that all social housing will be delivered directly by the Local Authority.
• Each individual apartment is considered a housing unit.
• The purpose of this plan is for the delivery of 139 social housing units over the period 2022 – 2026 and therefore it is not appropriate for the provision of homeless accommodation to be included in this plan. A Regional Homeless Action Plan is being put in place which will address homeless accommodation.
• Suitable vacant properties will be purchased and turned into units for accommodation.
Ms Samantha Healy said the Housing for All, the Government Housing Plan, states the need for a regional response to homelessness. It is expected that a regional plan will be prepared in the first quarter of 2022.
Councillor Sean McGowan sought an update on the homeless person in Carrick-on-Shannon.
Councillor Sean McGowan also referred to the focus on 1 & 2-bedroom units in new Local Authority build projects and queried if the persons allocated to these units would be giving up family homes for smaller units.
Ms Quinn said the profile of persons on the Leitrim housing list reflects a need for 146 units of 1 & 2-Bedroom property types. The housing list also reflects a need of 36 units of 3 & 4-bedroom properties. Ms Quinn said there was little demand from persons wishing to downsize their property.
Ms Mary Quinn said she cannot comment on specific homeless situations, however she assured the members that there is no person in Carrick-on-Shannon sleeping homeless that has not been offered permanent housing accommodation in their area of choice.
Councillor Thomas Mulligan said further queries in relation to the Housing Action Plan should be directed to Ms Mary Quinn.
Cathaoirleach, Councillor Thomas Mulligan and the members paid tribute to Ms Samantha Healy, Senior Executive Officer on her departure from Leitrim County Council and wished her well in her future career.