The news that there are currently 581 people on the housing waiting list in Ballina Town council alarmed the elected members at the monthly meeting this week. Town clerk Carmel Murphy told the meeting that a review of the list is being carried out, but at present there were 581 people on the list which was a marked rise on the numbers in the recent past.
The news sparked Fine Gael Cllr Mark Winters to call on the council to reduce the cost of affordable housing in the town from €125,00 to €100,000 to bring it in line with the drop in the price of property in the country, as it might encourage more people to buy their homes rather than be on a council waiting list to rent.
“Five hunded and eighty one people is three times the numbers that are on the list in Castlebar,” Cllr Winters said. “It won’t be long before we see that number break through 600 the way we are going.” He also called for the council to progress with works on housing repairs in the Baradearg estate in tandem with the works by Cluid in rejuvenating St Patrick’s estate.
In relation to the lowering of the cost of affordable housing, Ms Murphy told Cllr Winters that it was a national issue and would have to see a rise in the subvention given to the council for each house from central government, but she agreed to send a letter to the Minister in relation to the issue. Town engineer Michael O’Grady also informed him that some of the repair works to be carried out in the Baradearg estate have been prioritised for the planned maintenance programme in the town.
