The Department of Housing says there has been a reduction of between 32 and 50 per cent in the number of households on the social housing waiting list in the counties of Sligo, Leitrim and Donegal in the past five years.
The figures were released this morning by the Department of Housing.
For some time now, the issue of housing has been one of growing concern, particularly when it comes to supply and affordability.
But these figures, released this morning, paint a more positive picture and, as might be expected, have been welcomed by the housing minister.
They show Sligo has seen a 35% reduction in households on the social housing list in five years, with 284 fewer households in the county waiting compared to the first annual assessment in September 2016.
The department’s statement says Leitrim has more than halved the number of households on the social housing waiting list in five years, with 186 fewer on the list compared to 2016.
It adds that Leitrim’s 2021 social housing waiting list fell 7% on 2020 figures.
There has been a drop of 32% in households on the waiting list in Donegal in five years, with 411 fewer than in 2016.
Donegal’s 2021 social housing waiting list fell more than 7% on 2020 figures.
However, Minister O’ Brien said they must not lose sight of the fact that there are households in the north west that need support when it comes to housing; that’s the case for more than 500 households in Sligo, 177 in Leitrim and more than 400 in Donegal.
Looking ahead, Minister O Brien said ‘Housing for All,’ launched six months ago, aims to deliver 90,000 new social homes between now and the end of 2030.
