Demand for social housing increasing across Inishowen

Housing statistics and the ongoing need for people on the housing list to see progress were dealt with at the recent meeting of the Inishowen Municipal District

Its acting area manager of housing and corporate services, Una Cresswell revealed that the council had created 45 new tenancies this year. Of that 21 were the new properties at the Rockytown development and they had all been allocated and accepted.

"By the end of the year, there will hopefully be another three properties offered and accepted to bring it up to 48 properties, which is greater than last year. “This is positive news with all that has gone on throughout the year and all the various issues we had faced," she said.

Other figures in her report showed that the gross number of approved applicants on their social housing waiting list was 592 while there were 429 applicants currently accommodated with HAP assistance but who have remained on the council social housing list.

Councillors were also told that 40 tenants currently accommodated in council social housing and who are approved for a transfer and the net social housing waiting list was 123.

Cllr Rena Donaghey asked if the 54 new houses planned for Rockytown be going out to tender in 2023.

She was told this would not happen until June.

Cllr Johnny McGuinness asked for an update on houses in Carndonagh that were completed or nearing completion. He was told that matter was still with the department.

Cllr Albert Doherty asked for a map to be shared with councillors on how lands were divided between community, light industry and housing at Barrack Hill in Carndonagh.

"I have asked for this before and I don't know if it is all sorted but it's a significant amount of council land. I would like to see where each sector commences and ends."

He added he was disappointed to hear the houses in Carndonagh were not ready adding he had been told by Patsy Lafferty the council's director of housing, corporate and cultural services that it was unlikely that there would be any allocation.

"There is great anxiety out there in relation to many young families who are depending on new housing or who are living with families and are on our housing list who are very keen to access housing."

Cllr Doherty also asked if the posts of vacant housing officer and town regeneration officer have been filled.

Ms Cresswell said those jobs had been advertised and were currently in the recruitment process with HR and being worked through.