New affordable houses in the pipeline for Dundalk buyers
Cllr. Marianne Butler said she had seen recent advertising for affordable schemes in Drogheda, but added: 'It seems a very long time since there has been anything in this area. Is there anything on the horizon for us?'
A council spokesman said there would be one scheme in Mount Avenue, which would be available later in the year with twenty units which they hope will be released for affordable housing.
The local authority were engaging with developers in relation to any new developments that have been commenced for social and affordable housing.
Rodents
Cllr. Sean Kelly asked about the procedures for tenants where rodents have become an issue in their homes.
"We have a lot of people who just simply could not afford to pay an exterminator.'
He said that rodent activity was often linked to illegal dumping in an area, something which tenants were not responsible for.
"Is this something we can go back and look at as it is nor fair for us to put the onus on social housing tenants when they are not at fault as they are not creating the problems.'
A council spokesman said that rodent issues are generally a matter for the HSE, and there would be information for tenants in the tenant handbook on this.
He said if there was an issue with neighbour's waste, it could be looked at by the environment section within the council.
Cllr. Kelly also raised concerns about the lack of parking spaces provided in new housing estates, saying at the recent launch of one development, which had 45 units but only 23 parking spaces, with many of the residents highlighting the lack of parking.
Cllr. Kelly said he 'already fears there is going to be rows between neighbours about who got parking spaces and when.'
A council spokesman said this was not something the council's housing section could get involved in as it would have been part of of the planning submitted by the developer.
Energy retrofits
Cllr. Fiona Mhic Chonaigle queried access to housing energy retrofits, adding that one tenant had been in contact with her about his windows which are 33 years old, and a visible crack running along the gable of his house. He had tried twice to get on to the housing list, and she asked if his case would meet the criteria.
A spokesman said they would look into the case, adding that energy retrofits were decided on the basis of the current energy performance of a house, which could be an issue in older houses. He said planned maintenance programmes could also involve doors and windows.
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