By Kim O'Leary
Co Kildare councillors are calling for a different approach to be taken by Kildare County Council regarding homelessness and the lack of development of homes in rural areas particularly in South Kildare, which follows an announcement by the government that a new Housing First programme will be rolled out for the entire county.
At a recent meeting of Kildare County Council, Fianna Fail Cllr Martin Miley called for the Council to take a different approach to rural housing.
Speaking to KildareNow, Cllr Miley said: “At present it is extremely difficult to satisfy the Rural housing criteria in County Kildare. On top of this there are a number of other policies RH2 RH9 and RH10 that are constantly rolled out to refuse Rural people planning in rural communities in County Kildare. To exacerbate this problem in South County Kildare at present no development can take place in Narraghmore, Kilmeade, Killberry, Moone, Timolin, Levitstown and Magney because of the lack of sewage capacity. At present only six houses under construction in Castle Dermot. On top of this under the new county development plan only handful of houses has been developed in the Rural nodes Booleigh Kildoon Castle Mitchell.”
Fianna Fail Cllr Martin Miley is calling for Kildare County Council to take a different approach to rural housing by developing their own land to cater for those refused planning permission
Cllr Miley continued: “This is all leading to the price of existing houses going through the roof and which is restricting the present generation from living in their own community. At the meeting I have asked for Kildare county council to develop their own land in these communities to cater for individuals that are been refused planning in rural areas to be able to develop housing in these villages.”
Meanwhile, Sinn Fein Cllr Thomas Redmond has also voiced his concern that Athy is becoming a homeless hub, with families stuck in emergency accommodation for longer than a year.
Sinn Fein Cllr Thomas Redmond has expressed concern for families in Athy stuck in emergency accommodation for longer than a year.
Cllr Redmond said: “Athy has a homeless hub and I was alarmed when the Housing Minister TD Eohghan Murphy said this week that families are not staying in emergency accommodation for longer than a year, but I know for a fact that families in Athy are in the accommodation for well over a year. Also, there’s literally no developing of houses in Athy and it’s a very unhealthy situation, there’s too much relying on the private sector to deliver a housing solution.”
This week Mr. Eoghan Murphy, T.D., Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government survived a Sinn Fein motion of no-confidence following claims that the government had failed to invest in social and affordable housing and continued to rely on the private sector to meet housing demand.
Deputy Murphy and Mr. Simon Harris, T.D., Minister for Health welcomed the launch of the Housing First National Implementation Plan 2018-2021 which will see the highly effective programme to reduce and end rough sleeping and long-term homelessness extended to every county in Ireland.
The inclusion of a new rural Housing First programme for the Mid-East region of Kildare, Meath and Wicklow is the first time Housing First will be officially rolled out in non-city environment in Ireland. Peter McVerry Trust, the national housing and homeless charity, has said that the new national Housing First strategy published today is a game changer in the State’s response to homelessness.
Pat Doyle CEO of Peter McVerry Trust said: “The publication of the national Housing First strategy is a game changer in the response to homelessness in this country. Housing First is undoubtedly the best possible response to the needs of people who are sleeping rough, long term shelter users and people with complex needs. Peter McVerry Trust is absolutely delighted that Ireland is set to become a global leader in rolling out Housing First.”
Minister Murphy commented: “The publication of this Plan is one of the most significant responses by the State to dealing with long term homelessness. By providing housing and wraparound health supports simultaneously to some of the most vulnerable homeless individuals, we are seeking to ensure that they remain out of homelessness permanently. Housing First recognises the need for a coordinated response to homelessness by housing and health authorities and I have worked closely with Minister Harris since coming into office on providing a more coordinated response in this area. The delivery of the Plan will be a joint effort between our two Departments, the local authorities and the HSE”.
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