Mayo plan to deliver 730 new social homes by end of 2026

Balance needed between affordable and social

THE balance between affordable and social housing is something Mayo County Council needs to be mindful of in delivering housing.

The council has a target to deliver 730 social homes by the end of 2026, and it is likely that figure will be increased when a programme review takes place next year.

Elected members were updated on the various schemes taking place around the county, and the stages they are at, when they met last week.

Recently, 50 homes were allocated at Rehins Fort in Ballina, with another 50 under construction at Golf Course Road, Westport, 22 at Lios na Circe, Castlebar, and 21 in Kiltimagh. Two further approvals have been announced - 66 units at the Cheshire Home site in Ballina and 33 on the Turlough Road in Castlebar.

Other significant developments at pre-stage 1 approval and stage 1 approval include up to 40 units at The Lawn, Castlebar, 35 at Abbeyquarter (phase 2), Ballyhaunis, 36 at Lios na Circe (phase 3) and 34 at Duffy's bakery, Ballina.

Other projects are progressing at a number of other locations, with Achill Sound, Ballyvary, Claremorris, Mulranny, Carnacon and Swinford among them.

And there are projects with approved housing bodies being progressed too, including in Knock, Castlebar, Westport and Newport.

In his detailed update, director of housing Tom Gilligan said there is a 'very active pipeline' involving nearly 800 units and they can see the benefit it will bring to people going forward.

On the affordable front, he explained that approval in principle was received for 13 units in Westport. Applications have been submitted for 15 more in Castlebar and 11 at Monamore in Westport, and there will be a submission in respect of Ballina too.

HOUSE TYPES

There are 1,235 people on the housing list in Mayo and there has been a shift in the types of homes being sought.

More than 950 people are seeking a one-or two-bedroom home, with 230 requests for three-bedroom and 32 for four-bedroom properties, Mr. Gilligan told councillors.

The dynamic has changed over the last number of years, he said, and there will be a focus on providing more two-bedroom units going forward.

CROÍ CONAITHE

There has been a good response in Mayo to the Croí Conaithe scheme where generous grants are available to bring derelict or vacant properties back into use.

There have been 320 applications made in the county, with 159 approved, seven paid out, and 149 in progress, with 12 withdrawn.

Housing director Tom Gilligan has encouraged people to look at the scheme, with a focus on home ownership, though there is also a rental aspect to it also.

HOMELESSNESS

There are currently 109 adults and 61 children in emergency accommodation in Mayo.

There were 12 homelessness presentations to the council in October, bringing the number for the year to date to 164.

However, there appears to be green shoots in the rental market with more properties now available to rent.

DEBATE

Councillor Patsy O'Brien said council landbanks should be looked at for modular housing, so we can get building in a faster manner.

He also questioned the length of time it takes to bring council houses back into use when they are vacated.

On the Monamore affordable scheme, Councillor Christy Hyland asked for a higher density. He also questioned what is happening with the affordable element on the Golf Course Road scheme.

His Westport colleague Councillor Peter Flynn described the presentation as 'the definition of spin'.

All the focus is on social housing, yet there is a huge cohort of working people for whom nothing is being done.

One affordable site in Westport wouldn't be allowed due to zoning, he said, and in the other a request for 100% affordable housing had been ignored.

Councillor Damien Ryan agreed there is a problem with regards affordable housing and it needs to be rethought by the department.

“It is important there is a balance between affordable and social,” he said.

Councillor Ger Deere agreed with the points on affordable housing and also said there needed to be more speed in the planning process for both developers and one-off housing.

The probate office holding up property transfers was another area identified by Councillor Gerry Coyle.