An illustration of just how severe the housing crisis is in Limerick at the moment.
So severe is it, in fact, that people in the city are monitoring the death notices in the hope of being put forward for council houses once occupied by the recently deceased.
According to a report in the Limerick Post, such is the lack of available accommodation in the city that people have been forced to take desperate measures in their attempt to secure a house.
Newly elected Sinn Fein TD Maurice Quinlivan told the Limerick Post that there have been numerous cases of people contacting his office to inquire about the possibility of being put forward for a house where the occupant has recently passed away.
“My office is inundated with people who simply have nowhere to go,” Deputy Quinlivan told the Limerick Post.
“We are dealing with people who sleep in their cars, families who live with relatives in very overcrowded conditions.
“We have many cases of people contacting our office when they hear of a death or the passing of a neighbour to see if they can be put forward for the accommodation. This is very depressing but it highlights the stress and drastic things people will do to get accommodation.”
Housing projects that are currently active will deliver 744 housing units according to Limerick City and County Council, but there clearly isn’t enough supply to meet the demand.
Deputy Quinlivan also told the Limerick Post that he recently had 200 inquiries about a house that had been boarded up by people looking to put their names down for it.
For more on the story, check out the Limerick Post here.
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