Housing bodies 'must do more' to tackle crisis, say councillors

Housing bodies are not doing enough to tackle the chronic lack of social and affordable homes, members of Mayo County Council have stated. 

Representatives of three housing bodies that deliver social housing in Mayo appeared before the local authority last week but five other organisations failed to send representatives.

Marie McNamara, of Tuath Housing, said they are currently developing the old convent building in Westport in collaboration with the council. She explained it is a protected structure that has been derelict for several years, which "brings challenges". Tuath wants to construct 18 age-friendly apartments for over 55s.

Ms McNamara said the planning application is with the council and it should be published later this month.

Councillors heard it is hoped work will begin in early 2025 with the project completed by April 2026.

Noel Daly, of Co-operative Housing Ireland, said it has 33 properties in Mayo with 20 in Humbert Close in Castlebar and 10 at Glenlara Park in Westport. The housing body plans to increase its property stock in Mayo to over 100 homes by 2026, including seven houses that will shortly be delivered at Humbert Way in Castlebar and 44 apartments at Kilcolman Road in Claremorris.

Niall Dunne, the development manager of Mayo Mental Health Association (MMHA), said it is currently providing accommodation for 29 people in eight houses and nine apartments in the county, but it has another 20 people on a waiting list.

“The accommodation is just not there,” he said.

While there was praise for MMHA, councillors were less impressed with some of the other bodies with Cllr Cllr Peter Flynn saying the Tuath record in Mayo was "underwhelming". He believes local authorities should have complete control of social housing.

“There is a fiasco where we have 22 units in Newport (at Black Oak Rise) which are going back and forth between Mayo County Council, a developer and [Tuath] for three years. That is 22 units that have not been completed and are sitting vacant in the middle of a housing crisis.” 

Cllr John O’Malley described that situation as a disgrace, while Cllr Al McDonnell said the housing bodies only make a “modest contribution”.