A local councillor says demand for emergency accommodation in Carlow is at its highest level yet, describing the situation as deeply worrying.
People Before Profit Councillor Adrienne Wallace tabled a motion at a recent plenary meeting for additional spaces for people who find themselves homeless.
She criticised the government’s housing policy, calling for urgent measures including a state construction company and a ban on no-fault evictions.
While new housing is planned, much of it remains at an early stage, and delays are being blamed on red tape.
Cllr Wallace says tools like Compulsory Purchase Orders (CPOs) are effective but drawn out.
“Carlow County Council has been proactive about it. We have a regeneration scene in place and I passed a motion a number of years ago as well. And as a result, then we have a vacant homes officer. And we’ve seen the effects of this obviously in the town. It takes a very long time. It’s quite slow a process. It can be two years, it can be much longer before the council might even have ownership, never mind then another three months to do the work, refurbishments and stuff.” said councillor Wallace.
