Local councillor slams approved housing body
A Dungarvan councillor has slammed an approved housing body (AHB) for giving out false information.
Councillor Damien Geoghegan took aim at an approved housing body at a recent meeting of the Dungarvan and Lismore District of Waterford Council.
He told the meeting that a constituent was advised to write to a local councillor so that a troublesome tenant would be removed from the social housing list.
Councillors have no say in housing allocations - something which Cllr. Geoghegan is keen to stress to the public.
"There are a number of approved housing bodies that have houses in Dungarvan and they are nothing but trouble. I was sent a video recently where three heavies arrived at the door looking for money related to drug debt and that's what people are putting up with in their estates. Yet we will see some of the spokespersons for these AHBs on the news regularly giving out about homelessness and problems in housing. They need to get their own houses in order first."
It's not the first reported incident of altercations in Dungarvan housing estates. Earlier this summer, a video circulated on social media showing person(s) partaking in criminal damage.
Misinformation
Councillor Geoghehan continued by saying he was contacted by a resident who said councillors have a say in who gets allocated to social housing.
"I don't think it is acceptable either that people are being told to go to their local councillor. I rang the AHB and I had it out with the person...
"There have been issues with them and I know one house recently which was taken back by that AHB. A neighbour contacted the AHB and asked that the next person who is put into the house is somebody who doesn't cause any problems."
According to the local councillor, the employee responded by saying, "Contact your local councillor regarding that because the person would come off the social housing list."
Councillor Geoghegan continued saying to the employee, "Don't ever again tell anybody we as elected members actually choose somebody to go into a house, because we don't and everybody knows we don't."
"We don't have any involvement whatsoever in the allocation of a house," Councillor Geoghegan continued to say to the council chamber, "It came to my attention that the AHB interviews those people and completes background checks. They are then responsible for the person that goes into the house.
"It's going to come as news to the nine councillors here today that we have any input or say whatsoever who goes into an approved housing body."
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