‘Some people’s lives are on hold waiting for a house,’ warns Louth councillor

By Olivia Ryan, The Drogheda Independent

Social housing tenants will be offered up to €1000 to move house in a new “rightsizing” policy set to be implemented by Louth County Council.

The details of a new Draft Housing Allocation Scheme were presented to councillors at their recent monthly meeting.

Director of Service, Ger Murphy said the council had devised a new allocation scheme in a bid to balance the needs of applicants, while also remaining fair to existing tenants and the wider community.

He explained that while a national policy on rightsizing was expected at some point, Louth County Council had opted to include it in the new allocation scheme.

"The provision is there for our own tenants, if they wish to move to a smaller house, or a property rightsized to their needs, we will support them, and provide financial assistance up to €1000 to help with the move.”

In terms of private homeowners, the council will provide a scheme whereby they can apply to move to a local authority house. The council will then purchase the applicants own home at a 25% reduction, if the house is deemed suitable for council stock.

“This is interesting, particularly for people who might be looking at an older persons dwelling within our housing stock,” said Mr. Murphy.

Cllr. Kevin Meenan endorsed the draft scheme, saying it had been discussed at length by the Strategic Policy Committee.

Cllr. Marianne Butler asked if rightsizing will “always be voluntary” adding that there were some concerns among tenants that it “would be forced upon them.”

The Director of Service said that rightsizing would be voluntary, although the council would encourage tenants to think about moving to a property that is more suitable to their needs, in order to “free up four bed houses.”

Cllr. Robbie Nash welcomed the “rightsizing scheme” saying that the council were “ahead of the curve” in providing these options for people.

Cllr. Pearse McGeough added that the availability of social housing was very important, as “there are people out there whose lives are on hold waiting for a house to come up.”

Cllr. Jim Tenanty asked if the council sought information from the Residential Tenancies Board (RTB) about “non-payment of rent” by tenants in privately owned homes. who then apply to the council to be housed.

There was no provision to do this at present, said Mr. Murphy.