Call for housing swap policy in Leitrim to be reviewed
Cllr Brendan Barry proposed a voluntary swap policy within Council housing to better match tenants' needs, noting some may live alone in large homes while families struggle in smaller ones.
A motion to allow voluntary house swaps within Council housing will be forwarded to the Strategic Policy Committee (SPC) for review.
Cllr Brendan Barry proposed the motion at a meeting of Ballinamore municipal district, remarking that local authorities should do everything possible to facilitate house swaps, particularly when it would result in more appropriately sized housing for tenants.
He highlighted cases where a single person may live alone in a three or four bedroom house, while families might be struggling in smaller homes.
He argued that implementing a policy to support such swaps would help address housing needs more effectively.
“I think this policy would make better use of our housing stock to get the best use of housing. “It might only facilitate the transfer of a small number of houses but at least it would be making better use of those houses,” Cllr Barry said.
Cllr Barry’s motion was seconded by all members of Ballinamore municipal district.
“The housing section of Leitrim should make every effort to accommodate such transfers,” Cllr O’Rourke said. “The cost of keeping a three or four bed house for a single occupant is very significant whereas a family could be crying out for that type of house,” he added.
Cllr Enda McGloin who chairs on housing in the SPC, recommended that Cllr Barry’s motion should be forwarded to the committee for review.
“I think it should come to our committee to look at to see if we can make fundamental change,” Cllr McGloin said.