Clarity sought on status of housing acquisitions in Leitrim

Questions were raised regarding housing acquisitions in Leitrim at January’s meeting of Leitrim County Council.

Cllr Pádraig Fallon asked for an update on housing acquisitions, including whether the local authority is able to acquire housing, if there has been any communication from the Department of Housing regarding acquisitions, and whether the hold previously put on acquiring housing by the Department has been lifted.

“The anger, anxiety and anguish of such decisions on those impacted cannot be overstated. 

“I think it’s an outrage that there would’ve been a stay on acquisition during a time of crisis and there’s no doubt that there is crisis,” Cllr Fallon said

He emphasised the need to write to the incoming Minister for Housing to ensure that such a situation does not occur again.

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Homeless figures nationwide have reached a high of almost 15,000, and Cllr Fallon said that these figures underrepresent the true scale of the issue.

“We know the homelessness crisis is worse because there are numbers including those sleeping rough and in domestic violence shelters that aren’t counted in these figures.”

The motion was supported by all elected members.

A response from the Director of Services, Housing and Community, Corporate Services, Cultural and Emergency Services stated that the local authority cannot consider the acquisition of any more units under the Acquisition Programme until they receive confirmation from the Department of Housing.

The reply further explained that it is expected a decision will be communicated to all local authorities soon, and members will be informed once the position is clarified.

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