Speaking at the March Plenary Council meeting, Social Democrat Councillor Mary Roche said tenants in Council housing have no option but to declare themselves homeless, if there is a family or marital breakdown.
In effect, one member of couples who receive social housing will retain the house after a breakup or divorce, while the other must declare themselves homeless. Cllr Roche said this policy simply isn’t good enough.
“It seems to me that the option of having to declare yourself homeless and then the council pick it up from there is not good enough,” said Cllr Roche.
“I know it is a fraught area, but it is something that’s happening a lot frequently. Just bumping people out to declare themselves homeless even with children just doesn’t seem to be the right way. Even if they could go back on the housing list somehow and join the queue or qualify for HAP. I just think it is something that we need to give a bit of thought to and I would be grateful if that could happen.”
Cllr. Roche also made the point that those in receipt of social housing often belong to vulnerable groups, making the experience of relationship breakdown and declaring homelessness even more damaging.
In reply, Director of Services, Seamus De Faoite, acknowledged that to was a difficult issue but said the Council could only do so much.
“It is a very fraught area,” he said. “What we operate on is based on what legal agreements are in place. If there is a separation it’s based on the legal agreement.
“Having a blanket policy across that area—I’m not so sure. Cases are examined on a case-by-case basis. What I will do is consult with housing in Dublin who would deal with all of these.
“There is a lot going on [for the tenants] around that time and we don’t want to be another problem there for them,” he added.
AARON KENT
Funded by the Local Democracy Reporting Scheme
