‘Rising rents are forcing people into homelessness’ – Council meeting hears of increasing demand for housing

By Philip Rooney, The Sligo Champion

Some 103 households on the County Council’s housing waiting list received notices of termination from their landlords over the past 12 months while approximately 100 households have sought emergency accommodation in recent months.

The figures were revealed by Cllr Declan Bree who was speaking in relation to his motion at the January monthly meeting which asked, “That the meeting be advised as to the number of households on the Council’s waiting list that received notices of termination in 2025.”

Having been furnished with the figures he sought, Cllr Bree addressed the Council Chamber to express his dismay at the high level of terminations over the past 12 months received by households who are now on the Council waiting list.

“The fact that 103 households on this Council’s Housing Waiting list received Notices of Termination from their landlords over the past 12 months is a clear indication of the housing crisis and confirms the growing difficulty people have in sourcing private rented accommodation.

“We also know from reports we have received from our officials that approximately 100 households have been compelled to seek emergency accommodation from the homeless services in recent months.”

Outlining the impact this is happening on families and individuals Cllr Bree said, “The housing crisis is causing huge distress, impacting negatively on mental health, causing anxiety and despair to many people in this community.

“There are more than 1,600 households on this Council’s Housing Waiting list along with many more households who are ineligible for local authority housing, who are paying high rents to private landlords, and who cannot find affordable housing to purchase.”

Cllr Bree warned that rising rents are forcing people into homelessness stressing, “What is really of concern is the fact that more and more people are becoming homeless because they cannot afford rents or because landlords have been taking advantage of rising house prices and serving notices to quit on their tenants.

“Some of these people may be fortunate enough to have extended family who will provide them with shelter. However, now more than ever before, we have people in despair and desperate, who find themselves homeless through no fault of their own, and who are left with no alternative but to approach the Council seeking emergency accommodation. One can only imagine how difficult it must be for the staff of the housing department who have to source emergency accommodation on a day to day basis.

“The number of people in homeless accommodation and the huge number of households on the Council’s housing waiting list is a shocking indictment of this government and the previous administration.” Article Funded by the Local Democracy Reporting Scheme.