One in five social housing offers in Longford being rejected, figures show
The country’s incessant housing crisis, a lack of availability and the introduction of a pioneering scheme designed to offer more choice for applicants are among the reasons for a near 30 per cent increase in social housing acceptance offers.
They were among the factors, it was claimed this week, behind new figures which show around one in five, or 20 per cent of offers made to prospective council tenants are being turned down.
In figures released this week, a total of 484 offers for social housing in Longford were made over the course of 2020 and 2021.
Of those, 84 or just under 20 per cent, were rejected.
Independent Cllr Gerry Warnock said the figures represented a significant improvement on what had previously been the norm.
“I think that the 20% refusal rate over 2021 and 2022 is a marked improvement on the way things were where that rate was closer to 50%,” he said.
“All offers are made subject to the applicant’s housing need and to be fair to Longford County Council, there has been a more consistent approach in that regard over the years.
“I also think that, largely due to the housing crisis and low availability, that people have revised their expectations to something more in keeping with actuality and are happy to be in a position that meets their housing need at an affordable rent.
“I also understand from my own engagements that some people do have genuine issues with some offers and that must be acknowledged to.”
Longford’s overall figures would appear to be markedly better than those nationally which showed as many as two in five offers were refused last year alone.
Reasons for offers being refused included houses being too small, lacking in garden or parking space, or being located too close to an ex-partner.
Cllr Warnock said one of the main overriding factors behind Longford’s improved performance when it came to addressing social housing waiting lists was linked to a scheme he had, himself, endorsed in recent times.
“Another contributing factor to reducing the rate of refusals was the introduction of choice based letting by Longford County Council,” he said.
“A few years ago, I proposed this as a measure to help tackle the high refusal rate and it’s great to see it being utilised and being rolled out successfully here in Longford.
“While there will always be a percentage of refusals for varying reasons, I do see this number continue to drop over the next few years.”