'I don't have hope' - despair over housing shortage in parts of Kildare

“I don’t have hope,” a Kildare politician told a municipal district meeting.

Labour councillor Aoife Breslin said 99% of her time as a politician is taken up with housing.

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She told an Athy Municipal District meeting that there are no one bedroom units available in the area while the waiting list for two bed units stretches back to 2011-2012.

She also said that despite a medical requirement in some cases, there are no four bedroom units.

“I know families with huge medical needs and I have no answer to give them. I don’t have hope.”

The councillor asked that Kildare County Council contact the Department of Housing Local Government and Heritage “seeking clarity and an explanation on when construction of the proposed 73 homes in Ardrew, Athy, will commence.”

She pointed out that planning permission is in place and the site is "ready to go.”

Cllr Breslin added: “I don’t want to have to tell people they are facing homelessness -we need to be about to build these houses,.”

Cllr Brian Stanley said that a face to face meeting should be requested rather than sending a letter.

Cathaoirleach Ivan Keatley said the delay is very frustrating because “it is ready to start."

He also said that despite the delay in this case, the rate of housing construction in Athy is at its highest for 20 years.”

He also said that it is clear that significant residential development is underway in other areas like Newbridge and Naas.