Laois separated fathers not getting two bedroom homes claims councillor
Cllr James Kelly says council is not being fair to single dads sharing custody
A Laois county councillor claims that single dads are not being given a fair chance to have their children overnight, because of the type of housing offered to them.
Cllr James Kelly says that dads are often not offered two bedroomed social homes in the county, making their shared care of their children unfair.
He raised his concerns on behalf of people who came to him for help, to Laois County Council at a recent meeting.
"When relationships end, the couples can be eligible to be housed. The policy is more often who has full access to the children is housed. The other person gets a one bedroom home.
"In cases of joint custody or guardianship, when a male has guardianship, he could be offered a one bedroom house. He has to mind his children for the weekend or holidays in a one bedroom home. That is completely wrong.
"There was a case won by a man where a judge said it had to be taken on a case by case basis. To me that's not fair. Someone with partial custody or access should be deemed to have a two bedroom need. We have to look after everybody," Cllr Kelly said.
He noted that there are 1,627 names on the social housing waiting list in Laois, including 688 getting HAP (housing assistance payment for private renting).
"We are building a lot of houses but the list seems to be still up there, so the need is greater," Cllr Kelly said.
Cllr Willie Aird agreed.
"I see a huge demand with me anyway, for one and two bedroom homes in Portlaoise. I had a case of a person with visiting rights and it was impossible to get accommodation. Only now they are coming onstream. There are a lot of those houses coming back now that weren't available for years," he said.
Angela McEvoy is Laois County Council's director for housing and planning.
"Regarding joint custody, that is something we have to look at case by case," she said.
Laois County Council is increasing its stock of two bedroom homes. It expects to have handed out keys to 132 new social houses and apartments this year, and 50 of those will have two bedrooms.