Lack of housing the big issue

A shortage of housing in Nenagh is a major problem, writes community activist, Brendan Murphy, here. He says it's the main issue people approach him on seeking advice and help.

The Government might think that the housing crisis is about to turn a corner with their housing development plan released just months ago.

On paper it certainly looks good, but I fear we can expect a few bumps on the road before we see any great change in direction. I welcome the plan itself but it comes about ten years too late. The plan to me is like a slow moving wheel and it will take time for any of us to see any considerable results.

The situation we find ourselves in didn’t happen overnight. There was always going to be a demand for new houses, both private and social. That was a given, so to go almost 10 years without building houses or having a plan in place was like watching a slow train crash. It was down to poor planning and short-sightedness.

Am I being too harsh or negative? Let’s take a closer look: We now find ourselves in a situation in 2021 where average rent prices in the area have now reached almost €900 per month. House prices are continuing to soar due to high demand and a shortfall of supply. For almost every property that goes on the market there is a queue of potential buyers, which creates a bidding war.

Couples are finding it increasingly difficult to get a mortgage because of the current pricing. The banks are lending, but most couples are struggling to get the amount they need due to the sharp rise in house prices and in some cases are under increased pressure to save any money due to the high rents that they are now paying. It is safe to say that we are in a situation where the current generation might never get to own their own home, and that is a very sad and sorry statement to make.

SEEKING ADVICE

I have had a number of families contact me in recent months seeking advice as the houses that they were living in were being put on the market by the landlords.

Two of these particular families were on the HAP scheme and were facing homelessness unless alternative accommodation was found. I can say in both cases that the Tipperary County Council were extremely helpful and alternative accommodation was offered.

However, I fear there might be a lot more of this to come. With house prices hitting record levels in some cases, it becomes extremely attractive for a landlord to decide to sell a property. And who can blame them if they need to do so?

In the short term, we need to be looking at alternative solutions. I know too well the great work being done at council level in respect to the renovation of vacant properties in the area. With some new houses being built at present in two areas of the town, we are coming in to a better space, but this is just the tip of the ice berg.

Should we not be looking to push larger housing developments in the town. It was mentioned on a number of occasions by Cllr Séamie Morris that the green field site at Stereame would be a perfect site for a large scale housing development. Is this what we should really be looking towards, not just as a short term solution, but as a solid plan to address the housing situation at the level it deserves?

As a local activist, I can say, without doubt, that housing is the biggest issue that people are facing when they call seeking help, and it is definitely on the rise in recent times.