Cllr. Ellen Troy: Why Are Council Houses Empty for More Than a Year While People Sleep on the Street?
Fingal County Council (FCC) is being urged to carry out a full audit of all long-term vacant council houses in Dublin West
Aontú Cllr Ellen Troy says the continuing lack of urgency to turn around vacant council homes is inexcusable, citing examples of three houses still sealed up in a Dublin West suburb as FFC continues renovations works to them.
“Three houses on Fortlawn Avenue in Blanchardstown were damaged by a fire in March 2024 and Fingal County Council (FCC) after a year on are still undertaking works to make them habitable again.
“More than a year on and they are STILL not finished and to make it worse there are five more nearby empty and we’re in a housing emergency…I cannot understand how it could possibly take so long. Yes, renovations and retrofitting take time—but more than a year is outrageous. If these were privately owned houses, they would be turned around in no time at all. Over a year’s delay would simply never happen; it wouldn’t make economic sense. However, when it comes to public housing, common sense and urgency goes out the window.”
We’re not just talking about buildings—we’re talking about potential homes for real people in crisis; families are living in hotel rooms, and people are sleeping on our streets. It’s inexcusable.”
The situation in Blanchardstown is terribly unfair, both to the homeless and to the locals living there as it’s no fun living next to boarded up houses. It’s soul destroying for those who need a home and dismal for people who live there.
“One local man told me he’s embarrassed when visitors come to his house. He’s afraid they’ll judge the area, even though it’s a lovely place to live. One house near him has been empty for over a year, even though it’s fully ready for occupancy—because its former occupant passed away.”
The housing crisis is an absolute stain on our country and one that is going to cause huge societal issues down the line. People are traumatised by their experiences of being homeless and this is going to come back to bite in years to come”. I want FCC to take real action on this, I want it to carry out a full audit of long term vacant council houses and fast track the renovations. Homeless people deserve no less”.
