A SOUTH DUBLIN County councillor has suggested that families be allowed to put mobile homes in their back gardens to accommodate families on the housing list.

Independent councillor Francis Timmons said council tenants should be allowed to accommodate their own family members in this way rather than have them living in hotels or hostels while they wait.

“Another short term solution is to seek out private owners who would be willing to rent out space to put a mobile home to house a family on for a set period,” he suggested.

Timmons was also critical of South Dublin County’s management of council housing stock, saying it should be used in a more efficient manner. “Where we have three bed houses with one person we should be looking at housing other people,” he said.

The councillor’s comments come as his counterparts in Dublin City Council are struggling to secure the money needed to provide homeless services in the city. It emerged last month that there is an €18.5 million shortfall in funding to assist the city’s 3,000 homeless people.

Council plans to tackle the housing crisis in the city have also been criticised, as proposals to reduce the minimum size for apartments in the city were revealed.

Timmons described the situation as a “national crisis” saying it should be treated as such.

“I don’t feel we are dealing with this crisis in a realistic manner. I believe the political will does not exist with the current government to solve this issue.”

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