Council’s “Hands Are Tied” Regarding Pace Of New Builds

It’s claimed Clare County Council’s hands are tied when it comes to speeding up the provision of social housing here.

Barefield Councillor Ann Norton, who’s a member of the local authority’s housing committee, is responding to calls for councils to build more homes.

It comes as new figures point to a high level of homelessness in the county.

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The latest figures compiled by the Department of Housing and Clare County Council show there were 76 homeless adults in Clare in May, while 49 children were being housed in emergency accommodation in hotels, hostels and B&Bs.

It’s hoped the opening of a new family hub in Ennis last Friday, which will act as a bridge between emergency accommodation and long-term homes for five families, will aid in efforts to reduce homeless numbers here.

But Midwest Simon says more facilities like this are needed in the region and CEO Jackie Bonfield is warning that future generations will judge this one for how they handle the crisis.

Labour TD Jan O’Sullivan, her party’s Spokesperson on Housing, insists the pace at which council’s are building houses is far too slow.

She says there’s an urgent need for councils to stop relying on the rental market.

But Ann Norton, who’s a member of Clare County Council’s housing committee, says the local authority’s hands are tied.

The Barefield Independent Councillor says the Government needs to overhaul it’s housing policy in order to speed up the process.