Homeless families in Mayo should be accommodated in their own area

FAMILIES who find themselves homeless need to be prioritised for emergency accommodation in the areas where they currently reside and go to school.

The direction from Castlebar Municipal District (MD) councillors came after they voiced concern about locals being sent to the council's emergency facility in Charlestown.

Councillor Michael Kilcoyne proposed the MD discontinues its association with the centre in east Mayo.

His colleagues agreed with the thrust of his argument but there was some concern about what would happen if there was no accommodation in Castlebar.

There is an obligation under law on the council to find people accommodation locally, he said, and there are a lot of houses which are vacant and should be available.

Councillor Ger Deere said he has been raising the properties bought under CPO for the new N5 road project that are lying vacant.

They included an eight-bedroom former B&B.

Councillor Harry Barrett said he will be bringing forward a motion to declare a housing emergency in the district.

There's a serious situation with affordability around rents and he's getting calls from working families who can't afford to rent and have no where to go. He warned of a 'precarious' situation regarding affordable accommodation for people.