A big change in Government and council housing approach needed - O'Brien

Independent Councillor Sean O'Brien has stated that housing is a major issue in the Local Election campaign

"Families and young people are finding it very frustrating. Rents in Tullamore are almost at Dublin levels and there are so few places available to rent. Many young people are still living with their parents or are returning to live at home. There are now quite a number of new houses being built in Tullamore but we are simply playing catch up as for years very few were built," outlines Cllr O' Brien

"House prices are very high and this excludes many people from the housing market. People renting are finding it difficult to save for a deposit due to the very high rent levels.

"I am aware of people deciding to emigrate due to the housing crisis here and this is causing young people with good skills to leave our country which will affect our economy. Nurses and doctors applying for jobs in our hospital cannot get accommodation locally. Many workers in industries in Sragh Industrial estate are travelling daily from towns all over the midlands and even Dublin," continued Cllr O'Brien

"Social housing is also a major issue. I have constantly challenged the housing targets of Offaly County Council as those targets simply do not meet the demand. We have applicants on the housing list for ten years which is simply not acceptable.

"Many people waiting for social housing are living in very poor conditions and paying rents which are not affordable. The Government's Housing for All policy is simply not working and both Fianna Fail and Fine Gael are in denial about this as they constantly oppose me when I raise this issue at Council meetings.

"A big change in Government and Council housing policy is needed and I hope that the next Council will have Councillors who will support that required change," concluded Cllr O'Brien.