Donegal County Councillors have called for a push for government funding for modular homes to offer families safety from homes affected by defective concrete blocks.
The lack of alternative accommodation for homeowners undergoing remediation and demolition work was highlighted to th council by 100% Redress Party and Sinn Féin representatives on Monday.
Cllr Joy Beard from 100% Redress proposed modular homes as a “quick fix solution” for families with zero options for temporary rental accommodation.
“There is simply nowhere for people to go, and because of that people are being forced to live in unsafe homes and week by week are becoming more unsafe,” Cllr Beard said.
Cllr Beard urged the executive to consider the health risks: “Some have mould in every single room. Some people are spending two or three years searching for accommodation and there’s nothing forthcoming. They are being forced to live in horrendous conditions. We have children, elderly, vulnerable and people with specific needs who will never find somewhere to rent because of their needs.”
Cllr Gerry McMonagle of Sinn Féin lodged a separate motion asking the council to form a plan and an application for funding to the Minister For Housing Darragh O Brien for the provision of modular homes.
Cllr McMonagle said: “There are people living in intolerable conditions and it shouldn’t be happening.
“There isn’t housing in the private sector to facilitate those people or indeed the many people on the council waiting list.
“Modular homes is a good way to do this, the Minister has said in meetings with this council that if we put together an application that he will look at it and he will make the decision on whether he will fund it.”
Cllr McMonagle said he was not asking the council to provide the homes, but to represent the homeowners of Donegal by presenting a plan.
“We need to go with the costed plan and say ‘over to you, Minister'”, Cllr McMonagle said.
Director of Service Michael McGarvey outlined that Donegal County Council’s role is only to administer the enhanced DCB scheme and not to provide alternative accommodation for private homeowners.
In relation to social housing and social homes affected by defective blocks, the Council is awaiting approval from the Department to proceed with a remediation scheme. The Council intends to use vacant units as alternative accommodation for affected tenants. Mr McGarvey told members that modular homes “hasn’t been ruled out” in relation to the provision of alternative accommodation, but that it will become clear when the Department approves a scheme for the remediation of Council homes.