Limerick’s beautiful Georgian houses could be brought back to life and provide much needed homes for a cohort of people who are finding it increasingly harder to put a roof over their heads.
Aontú Cllr Sarah Beasley, says
“These three storey properties are absolutely stunning; they are synonymous with Limerick and currently many of them are vacant and some indeed are falling into disrepair. They could be done up to provide one-bedroom homes that are so badly needed. Not everyone fits into the ‘traditional ‘family unit and they don’t need or want two- or three-bedroom properties. They can’t afford them for one thing, they are too big for them and these are some of the people that are at constant risk of homelessness”.
“Housing for single older people is a ticking timebomb. These people may have separated, they may have remained single, they may be on low incomes, they may not have a strong familial or social network, they are getting older, and they simply don’t have suitable housing for their needs. We have a severe shortage of one-bedroom units, and this is going to come back to haunt us if we don’t grab the issue now and take action”.
“We are an increasingly aging society. It is estimated that by 2051 one in four people will be over the age of 65. The current life expectancy is around 84 years. We don’t have a good record of planning for these eventualities and now is the time to change that. Our older people who have worked to build up this country deserve nothing less”.
“Just today the CSO has revealed that evictions have jumped by 50% for the first three months of this year alone is absolutely shocking”
“I am a passionate advocate for the homeless. I have been providing food, clothes, support, and friendship to Limerick’s homeless for well over six years now with my Aontú homeless outreach, so I have a good handle on the situation. These beautiful Georgian homes should be done up, not just to regenerate Limerick City but to ‘regenerate ‘people who are desperately worried as to how and where they will find suitable accommodation for their very particular circumstances”.
Other cities can do this, so why can’t Limerick. I have been calling for this for years and it’s quite frustrating to see people using concrete paths for pillows when they could have suitable accommodation to live their lives in dignity and safety”
