“As of this week, the number of voids in the city council housing stock is at 38. These are boarded-up homes that are empty and awaiting works before they can be assigned to families and individuals on our housing waiting list,” said Mark Lohan, Sinn Féin candidate for city council.
Lohan continued; “The fact that the council does not have enough tradespeople, apprentices and general operatives in direct employment is a grave error and must be corrected. In the meantime, every effort must be made to get these city-owned properties into active use.”
Lohan stated; “As I call on doors during this council election, I am constantly coming across multiple generations living in the same home. This is unfair on these families and they can see these vacant homes in their area which adds to the frustration.
“If elected to the city council, I will support the full costing of hiring direct crews so that this work and other maintenance work can be done efficiently and in a timely manner.
“We need to get this work done, by all possible means. The lack of progress just adds to the poor record of this current city council who have not built a single affordable home nor any direct-build social homes in the last five years.
“If we want things to change, then Galway citizens need to vote for that change on June 7. Otherwise, nothing will be done and the lack of progress in housing will continue,” added Mark Lohan.
