People refused social homes because they were 'too far' from Ballina

Fifteen people refused social housing in a new estate in Ballina because the houses were "too far from town".

Westport-based Independent Cllr Christy Hyland informed members of the Westport-Belmullet Municipal District that 15 people refused to live at Rehins Fort on the Foxford Road in Ballina where 50 new social housing units have been built.

“Fifteen people, who were on the housing list and were offered a beautiful new home worth €350,000 minimum, refused. We’re talking about homeless people and people in need of housing, so when we look at the housing list, is it a true reflection?” Cllr Hyland asked. “To refuse a house and they’re on the housing list and they say ‘no thanks, I don’t want it,’ but they still don’t come off the list.” 

Mayo County Council’s Director of Housing, Tom Gilligan, confirmed that Cllr Hyland’s claims were true.

“I’ve asked for a full report on in relation to that, but the main reason that I’m getting is that some people felt the houses were too far out,” Mr Gilligan said.

Cllr Peter Flynn said Cllr Hyland had “hit the nail on the head”.

“This is going on all over the country. The reality is that for most of these large estates when the allocation is happening, somewhere between 60-70% of applicants are already in houses. They’re not actually on the waiting list, they’re either on the HAP (Housing Assistance Payment) or on the RAS (Rental Accommodation Scheme),” Cllr Flynn said. “They’re in houses that they think are better than the council houses, and they want to stay in a private estate. They’re happy getting the HAP or the RAS.”