Vulnerable families and young people are being “left without any hope of securing their own home” in Graiguecullen.
That is according to Mr Aaron Kelly, Chairperson of Laois Sinn Féin and the party’s Local Area Representative for the Graiguecullen-Portarlington Municipal District.
Mr Kelly ran as a Sinn Féin candidate in the 2024 Local Elections and was an integral part of Senator Maria McCormack’s General Election campaign.
“Graiguecullen has not had any additional social housing units in 2024 and will not have any in 2025 according to the Laois Housing Targets figures under the Governments Housing for All scheme,” Mr Kelly said.
“It may be ‘Housing for All’ by name but it’s certainly not by nature when Graiguecullen is yet again excluded from social housing delivery this year.
Mr Kelly said Graiguecullen has experienced a “significant rise in population,” which was “exerting pressure” on existing social housing resources.
He estimated the town’s population at at over 5,000 people, saying the growth has not been met with a “proportional increase” in housing developments.
The Sinn Féin representative said this was leading to a scarcity that affects vulnerable families, including low-income residents, individuals with disabilities, and the elderly.
“It’s so frustrating to see young people being left without any hope of securing their own home and being left with no choice but to emigrate,” Mr Kelly said.
“People are contacting me on a daily basis in relation to their position on the housing list in Laois and a common theme that I am coming across is how it has now become a normal occurence for three generations of family to live under the same roof.
“We need a complete overhaul of current housing policies to address systemic delays and improve delivery efficiencies.
“Sinn Féin has a plan to make housing affordable and to bring homeownership within reach of working people.
“Sinn Féin will transform housing in Ireland, from how we think and plan homes, the communities they are part of, to how we build homes.
“We will ensure that everyone has a home.”
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