Homeless crisis is 'off the charts' in Mayo

Mayo is in the midst of a housing crisis with exponential numbers of people becoming homeless, according to the cathaoirleach of Mayo County Council’s Housing Strategic Policy Committee (SPC) Cllr Peter Flynn. 

Speaking at last week's meeting of the SPC, Westport-based Cllr Peter Flynn described the number of homeless people presenting in each of the four municipal districts in Mayo over the last few months as being "off the charts". 

"I know from speaking to staff they have never seen anything in their time like the numbers presenting for homelessness. These are people in full-time jobs who have received notice to quit and have nowhere to go. We really have a crisis on our hands and as members of this strategic policy committee we have a duty to do everything we can.” 

SPC member Niall Dunne, who is the manager of Mayo Mental Health Association, concurred with Cllr Flynn.

“We are running into a crisis and the human mental health element is shocking. We have people in our mental health housing supports who want to go into independent living but cannot because of bigger waiting lists. It is not a healthy situation and we have seen some who were living a normal life three or four years ago becoming really unwell and now having to access mental health services and they should not be there.” 

Cllr Flynn pointed out that people are simply looking for ordinary houses to provide a roof over their heads, saying: “The demand is for one or two-person households, so they are not looking for mansions or properties from 1,400 square feet up. A one or two-bed could offer an amazing solution for so many."

Cllr Michael Kilcoyne remarked: “At the end of this century, when history looks back, this will be seen as the greatest scandal, the way we have treated our people.”

• Published as part of the Local Democracy Reporting Scheme.