'Local housing isn't being allocated to local people' - Waterford councillors concerned over housing allocations

There is a growing concern in Waterford that local houses are not going to local people.

The issue was raised at a recent meeting of Comeragh District councillors, who said that locals should be given priority on Choice Based Letting (CBL) properties.

Choice-based letting is a council system that allows people on the housing list to choose properties from a list of available homes.

Councillors said last week that more needs to be done to ensure that locals on the system are allocated homes in their own area.

Cllr Liam Brazil said that he hopes the 12 new apartments at the Old Convent in Kilmacthomas will be designated to local people.

He added: “I’m not a great fan of CBL, I don’t think its catering to local people, although the people in the council housing department tell me it is, but I can’t see where they’re coming from.” 

“With the 16 new apartments in Kilmacthomas a few years ago, I think there were three only locals who got in."

Cllr John O’Leary said that the issue is putting "immense pressure" on councillors, who are being asked by locals why CBL properties are not being allocated to people living within the vicinity.

“People are asking hard questions to us” he said. "Local people who make contributions to our localities, our society, our parishes and our areas, people cannot understand how they’re not being allocated housing.

“It’s unacceptable that local housing isn’t being allocated to local people. That’s needs to change.” 

Cllr Declan Clune shared the sentiment, saying: "It should be local people in local areas”. 

“I could have a young family in Portlaw on a housing list who might get allocated a house in Lismore for example. So it’s taking the family away from the local school, societies, GAA clubs, soccer clubs, and it makes absolutely no sense," he said.