Louth TD proposes building of modular homes to ease housing shortage in Dundalk

The prospect of using modular homes to deal with the unprecedented level of homelessness in Louth was raised by Louth TD Peter Fitzpatrick during Wednesday’s Dail motion to declare a housing emergency proposed by Sinn Fein. 

“Not a day passes without someone coming into my constituency office who is in that situation. It could be due to a husband and wife separating or someone in the home who has an addiction and their parents cannot put up with them any more,” Deputy Fitzpatrick said. 

“In Louth 68% of homeless adults in emergency accommodation are long-term homeless. I commend the homelessness section in Louth County Council. 

“We ring it nearly every day and in fairness the staff do their best. Many of the homeless people who come into my office have an addiction problem. 

“Emergency accommodation is a good place to go but most of them refuse to go there because they maintain that drugs are available there. This is something we must examine given the amount of money the Government is spending on emergency accommodation.

“Louth is not alone in experiencing longer times and rising costs for property re-lets. Given the current crisis it is not good enough that any house would be left void for any period of time.”

The Louth TD went on to say that he was aware of a local developer who currently has planning permission in Dundalk for 500 houses who was willing to put up between 150 and 200 modular homes. 

“I invited the Taoiseach and the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage, Deputy O'Brien, to come to my home town of Dundalk to visit the site and the factory that manufactures modular homes which is about ten miles from Dundalk. 

“In fairness to the Minister and his Department we have spoken several times in the past few weeks and in the next day or so I will receive a date from the Minister on which he will meet the developer and the manufacturer of these modular homes. This is definitely a step in the right direction.

He further stated that at the moment people only talk about modular homes for Ukrainians but that modular homes are shovel-ready, electricity, sewers and gas infrastructure is ready and there are schools, shops already in the vicinity. 

“These are three- and four-bedroom, fully fitted family homes for people who could be on the waiting list of Louth County Council for as long as ten years,” he said. 

“People come into my constituency office daily. They would be delighted to have a roof over their heads. They do not want to rear their children in apartments. They want them to have a normal life in a safe environment.

“We have to facilitate all construction types. Modular homes take between four and five weeks to put together. The company is willing to put a team together to facilitate these 150 to 200 homes. If we get the first projects off the ground people will develop more confidence in this form of housing. 

“As homelessness is at record highs at the moment this would be a win-win for all. As home ownership declines and no further homes are available to buy it is important we do this. “