46 SDCC housing applicants have turned down offers of accommodation this year

46 SDCC housing applicants have turned down offers of accommodation this year

By Maurice Garvey

SO FAR this year, 46 applicants on the housing list have refused a tenancy in the South Dublin County Council area.

The top reason for refusal on the list is 22 applicants who ‘want another area’ – 17 of which were for Tallaght South, and five for Clondalkin/Lucan.

Houses aerial

Fianna Fáil councillor CharlieO’Connor asked for the details at this week’s council meeting.

Cllr O’Connor said: “It was deliberate, with housing the big issue at the moment. I’m also aware that throughout the country, tenancies have been refused.”

With regard to ‘wants another area’, O’Connor feels this can be reasonably justified if applicants first choice is “based on where their children are going to school and family who support them.”

A range of diverse reasons for refusal were given to the council, including an applicant who cited too many steps to the door, another who did not like the external appearance of the apartment block, and another who felt the location was too far away from the shops.

A couple of cases stated they required larger accommodation than the one offered, whilst two cases considered their respective dwellings unsuitable on medical grounds.

The rodent problem in Kilcronan estate was cited by one applicant as areason for refusal, whilst another applicant said they received information from the neighbours regarding damp issues.

No reason for refusal was given for six cases, and no medical documents were supplied for two more cases.

Of the 46 applicants who refused a tenancy, 10 are listed as homeless.

Cllr O’Connor said some of the more bizarre reasons are “to some extent, beyond comment” but also highlighted extenuating factors which are often missing from cold statistics.

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