Just twelve properties put aside for ‘very vulnerable’ council clients

Councillor Jim Ryan has said he cannot explain to people why clients of Approved Housing Bodies (AHB) are being prioritised over the housing waiting list.

Cllr Ryan asked Senior Housing Officer Cora Morrissey to explain the process during a question and answer session on housing at last week’s sitting of the Thurles-Templemore Municipal District Council.

“How are their clients overtaking people who have been on the list for over ten years,” said Cllr Ryan.

According to the housing report a total of 839 approved housing applicants in the Thurles-Templemore district.
These include the towns of Thurles, Roscrea and Templemore as well as the villages surrounding them.
Most of those are in Thurles town (367) and the surrounding areas.

However, Ms Morrissey said the council had only earmarked 12 properties for Housing First and had 12 clients waiting to be accommodated.

But she did say that they were to put more units aside.

Ms Morrissey said that these clients do not just require housing but additional support such as psychiatrists, social workers and other allied services.

“These are very vulnerable members of our society,” said Ms Morrissey

STRADAVOHER COURT

During the same discussion, Cllr Seamus Hanafin asked about progress in having several units in Stradavoher Court taken over. He said it was his understanding that Novas were buying the properties.

“Stradavoher Court is in appalling condition. I would welcome anyone looking at it,” said Cllr Hanafin.

Ms Morrissey said that Novas own 12 and is in the process of purchasing a further 10.

She said they are to meet with Novas shortly, but they are “nearly there.”

Ms Morrissey said that the area had been cleaned up last year but acknowledged that it is in poor condition again.