A DONEGAL County Councillor has raised concern over the ongoing vacancy of 17 houses in Milford which were originally built for social housing.
In Tuesday’s meeting of Letterkenny – Milford Municipal District, Cllr Declan Meehan outlined that Milford is under significant housing pressure with 31 families in the town on the social housing waiting list.
He spoke of the stress on families, those being forced to remain in unsuitable accommodation and those in unaffordable or unsecure tenancies.
“At Lough Fern Heights we have 17 completed, suitable homes that could be brought into use quickly.
“This is a ready-made solution the homes are there, the need is there and the mechanism exists to make it happen,” the independent councillor said.
Cllr Meehan explained that the Approved Housing Body (AHB) is ready and willing to purchase these homes but the process is stalled due to lack of Capital Advance Leasing Facility (CALF) funding approval due to disagreements on price.
CALF is a funding mechanism for AHBs to construct or acquire new social housing.
“Using CALF funding in this case represents good value for the public purse and avoids lengthy new build timelines and allows homes to be delivered immediately.
“This is exactly the kind of practical, efficient intervention we are constantly being told the system should prioritise.”
In his motion, which was seconded by Cllr Tomás Seán Devine, Cllr Meehan called on the council to write to the Minister for Housing and urged immediate and direct intervention in the ongoing vacancy.
He also called for all possible mechanisms to be examined and implemented without delay to ensure funding is allocated to allow these homes to be purchased by an approved housing body and are allocated to those on the social housing waiting list.
Cllr Liam Blaney supported Cllr Meehan’s motion. However he asked him to amend the motion to include Donegal County Council as well as AHBs.
