Shortage of larger houses impacting bigger families

An admission that there is a shortage of four-bedroomed houses available for council tenants whose families have outgrown their existing accommodation has come from Westmeath County Council. At the October meeting, Cllr Aengus O'Rourke called for a three-year roadmap to provide clarity for families who have spent a long time on the transfer list while living in overcrowded conditions.

Director of housing, Ambrose Clarke, said discussions with developers in Westmeath suggested that four-bedroom houses were becoming less common in new developments, as builders favour three-bedroom properties because of costs.

“I’ve had maybe three or four conversations in the last two weeks with developers, and there’s very few four-bedroom houses proposed in developments they’re doing,” he said. The council were examining the housing pipeline for 2027-2030 and would try to include larger homes in their developments, but there are a lot of costs involved.

Cllr O'Rourke suggested that the council should consider extending existing homes where possible and seek additional departmental support to acquire properties.

Mr Clarke agreed to raise the question of extensions with the department and said the council would consider further acquisitions if additional funding could be secured.

Cllr Ken Glynn said council tenants applying for extensions are told the work was not viable and were instead placed on the transfer list.

He warned that left families waiting for larger homes at a time when, according to the discussion, there was little prospect of sufficient four-bedroom houses becoming available.

Mr Clarke agreed to investigate the issue and report back to members.