Rising rents and increasing property prices are placing extra pressure on housing supply in Cork.
Cork Corporation has to deal with a waiting list for public housing.
Cork is experiencing population growth which means an increased demand for public housing.
The increased desire for homes in Cork has resulted in a bottleneck and a waiting list for public housing. The rising demand, the hopes of getting a house for many are slim. As a result, many families are now looking to the private sector for housing where rents are high and conditions are poor. The prospects of owning a private home are limited by soaring prices. If their families are large enough and their incomes are sufficiently low, there is a chance of obtaining a council house but the waiting list is long and growing.
At present in Cork, around 8,000 families rent accommodation from Cork Corporation. In an effort to the meet the growing demand, schemes like the Knocknaheeny Estate were built in the late 1970s offering improved standards and conditions. However, the quantity of houses is insufficient to meet today's growing need. A more recent development at Hollyhill offers even better quality housing. However, due to the backlog of people on the waiting list, the prospect of getting one of these houses is a pipe dream for many.
The Hayes family live in a fifth floor attic flat in Cork City centre. Linda has one child and is pregnant again. Her husband Robert is just seventeen years of age and is unemployed. They are paying £15 in rent for the flat out of £38 social insurance. The conditions in the flat are poor and they have been on the housing waiting list for six months.
We have no window that we can open.
Linda Hayes on their current situation and the dangers for a child living under such conditions.
We’d take a place anywhere. We’re not fussy.
Another family living at the Mayfield corporation flat complex describe the poor conditions they are living under. Damp and a very noisy and expensive heating system are just some of the problems they are living with. They believe the conditions are hazardous to their health.
'Today Tonight’ broadcast on 12 May 1981. The reporter is Colm Keane.
