Tipperary Councillor calls for smaller new houses in Tipperary

Newly-elected Cllr Liam Browne has called for more smaller housing accommodations in Tipperary.

The issue was raised at the most recent Tipperary/Cahir/Cashel Municipal District meeting, held on Monday, July 22.

Browne raised the issue in the meeting with the housing planners and developers present.

Current plans for housing in Tipperary largely consist of multi-bedroom houses, intended for family living, however Browne argued that more one and two bedroom housing arrangements should be looked into.

His reasons for this claim is that there are plenty of small families, single people, divorced people, etc., who are looking to purchase a house, cannot do so due to budget constraints, or possibly do not want to move into houses that are too large.

Speaking with Tipperary Live, Cllr Browne said: "I have increasing numbers of people coming to me in their 40s, 50s and even 60s, who cannot get a smaller home from the local authority, because they simply do not have any in stock, and the council will not give a three bedroom home to a single person. Single men for example, find it almost impossible to get housed. The cost of renting has risen beyond many of those people’s means, and they are struggling very badly."

"Those that are working and can afford rent, are living in fear that when they reach retirement age, they will not be able to afford to pay rent on their pension, and may become homeless as pensioners. It’s very scary for people to be growing old in this situation."

Cllr Browne went on to say that: "The current policy of councils purchasing ready built homes from private developers, will not help the situation with lack of provision of smaller homes, as developers do not see any profit margin in building smaller properties, and are not doing so."

"It’s imperative that the council therefore step in, and make sure that more one and two bedroom units are built. Otherwise we’re heading for an even deeper housing crisis."

He also said that: "It was hampering any chance of creating a successful policy of downsizing or 'right sizing' homes.
“There are many older people now living in large houses, who might wish to live in a smaller home and free up the bigger home for younger families, but they are unable to do so, because the smaller homes do not exist."

"Schemes like those at St Patrick’s Gardens in Cashel, offer a perfect template to the council, and should be replicated in every town and village."

"The housing problem needs newer and more imaginative solutions than are currently being considered, if we are to fix it."