Councillor appeals over chronic housing shortage

An Edenderry councillor has appealed to property owners to consider leasing to the council to help combat the “chronic shortage” of houses.

Independent Cllr Noel Cribbin said in the past fortnight, “sadly, because of a chronic shortage of houses in Edenderry, two young families who find themselves homeless through no fault of their own are now in homeless shelters in Mullingar and Longford.”

He said “at the moment there is not a house to rent in Edenderry for love nor money and I appeal to home-holders who may have a second house that is vacant to consider leasing their property to Offaly County Council.”

Cllr Cribbin urged property owners to consider the Housing Assistance Payment(HAP) scheme. According to Cllr Cribbin, “this scheme guarantees that the rental due to the owner is paid directly into their bank account on a monthly basis by the council and the council collect the money off the client.”

He assured those considering the move that their properties would be returned in the same condition it was handed over to the council. “Knowing the town and area quite well, I see where there are several vacant houses in the town area that are making no return for the owners and I urge these people to consider renting their properties,” said Cllr Cribbin.

The property owners, he explained, will get a guaranteed income and help “people that are in hugely stressful situations to find a home for themselves and their families and to live here in Edenderry amongst their family and friends.” Cllr Cribbin said “any property owners out there that need more information on this HAP scheme can contact me on 087-9073804.”

The appeal comes in the same week as a council decision to advertise for security screens for its housing staff at Offaly Council Council. Renua Ireland General Election candidate John Leahy raised the issue of security for the staff at a recent municipal district meeting. He said the staff were bearing the brunt of the frustration expressed by some of those on the housing list. “The council have taken action on that and they have gone out to tender for security frames,” he explained.  

In Edenderry, Cllr Cribbin foresees a worsening housing situtaion emerging. He said “a further problem coming down the tracks is up to 14 homes that have pyrite problems and are only recently passed to have works carried out on them by August/September 2015, which is a huge problem for the householders who are going to have to vacate their homes while the work is ongoing.” He estimated the work will take three to four months to complete.