Affordable housing list for Mayo to be drawn up

A LIST of how many people in Mayo would be interested in availing of affordable housing is to be drawn up by the county council.

There was unanimous support from elected members for a motion by Councillor Michael Kilcoyne requesting the chief executive to place a public advertisement in the local media inviting members of the public who are interested in being considered for affordable housing to complete and submit an application indicating this to Mayo County Council.

Following this a report is to come before councillors.

The exercise would, he said, establish how many people in Mayo would be interested in availing of affordable housing and enable the council to plan for this need.

Chief executive Kevin Kelly had a concern that the exercise would give rise to an expectation among people who do want a house.

However, if members wanted them to ask the question, it would be done, but it had to be more nuanced than just asking are you over a certain income level and interested in affordable housing.

The matter will now come before the council's housing strategic policy committee to draw up questions.

Councillor Kilcoyne said the reality is they don't currently know how many people are seeking affordable housing. This would involve a simple form stating income and their interest.

Councillor Peter Flynn was of the view that there was nothing to stop the council selling sites for €15-20,000, which they had done back in the 1970s and '80s.

They have done nothing for working people, he said.