Children ‘sleeping on floors’ as lack of social housing in Wexford hits large families hardest

By Simon Bourke, Wexford People

Children in large families are sleeping on “floors and couches” while their parents await updates on social housing offers from Wexford County Council (WCC). And while it has become apparent across the county that there is an increased demand for one and two-bed properties, those searching for larger properties are experiencing significant overcrowding in family homes unsuited for their needs.

Reading the monthly housing report, Cllr Browne noted that just two 4-bed properties were in the pipeline in the EMD for those awaiting social housing from the county council. Those four-beds are part of the 14 unit development in Cnoc na Greine, Enniscorthy which are due to be delivered in Q3 of this year.

“There are people on our housing list looking for four-bed properties and they’re currently experiencing overcrowding, they’re in severe need,” said Cllr Browne. “If there are any additional four-beds available for us to acquire can we take a look at them?”

Cllr Owens added his weight to the discussion.

“I know people who are sleeping on floors because they can’t get four-bed properties, their children are on the floor or on couches, this has to stop. We have to provide houses for these people.”

Housing officer Roseanne Redmond advised the councillors that her team were not overlooking the needs of those with larger families.

“When we meet with developers we do look at getting a mix of properties in an estate,” she said.

Referencing the planned 40-unit development in the Lyre, Ms Redmond said it had not yet been decided how many four-bed properties would be included there but that surveys on the scheduled project were continuing.

Naturally, Cllr Owens had some further queries regarding the provision of housing in the district. Noting that there are currently 478 people in the EMD awaiting an offer of a one-bed property, and 210 awaiting two-beds, he asked how long those in the former group had been waiting for a house.

“We have a number of two-bed houses to be delivered this year and in some cases people on the list for a one-bed will be given those,” replied Ms Redmond. She was subsequently backed up by director of services Carolyne Godkin who said every effort was being made to prioritise those on the housing list for multiple years.

"If someone on the one-bed list is waiting longer than someone on the two-bed list we will offer them the two-bed property first,” she advised.

Citing one ongoing case, Cllr Owens said there was a mother-of-two in the district who had been patiently awaiting an offer for six years.

“She has two children and she’s back living with her parents – she grew up there, now she’s gone back there. It’s overcrowded,” he said.

“There are two bed houses coming on stream, she should use choice-based letting (CBL) to apply for properties when they come up,” replied Ms Godkin.

“She’s on it night and day, anything that comes up she applies for,” continued Cllr Owens.

Ms Godkin then explained that the council had commitments to a number of groups who had to be catered for when new houses became available.

“Bear in mind that every ten houses we get we have to fulfil commitments to those with disabilities, homeless clients, and vulnerable groups, the rest are allocated to those on the housing list. She’s at the top of the list now, so once she keeps expressing an interest she should get something.”

“I was told that last year,” said Cllr Owens. “She didn’t make the cut the last time.”

“The next time it comes around she probably will. We will get to her,” came the response.

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