Sligo Community Housing
In recent years the issue of housing has become an increasingly critical priority for the Sligo community. Issues around housing have been a constant across PPN community engagement and consultation processes, notably the Community Vision for Wellbeing.
Key Community Feedback on Housing
Some of the comments raised through this process included:
- We need a variety of house types within communities throughout the County to allow for households down-sizing or trading up as needed within the same area and for a variety of income groups.
- There should also be sheltered housing provided in community settings.
- A variety of schemes need to be introduced to ensure that homes are affordable.
- Everyone in Sligo should have a suitable home and the Council should ensure that derelict or abandoned buildings are put back into use to provide a variety of housing options.
- Planning should ensure future proofed building design wherever possible to create the opportunity for adaptation as family/ household needs change.
- People need to be encouraged to live in small towns and villages, redevelop houses as needed and enabled to develop accommodation alongside small businesses.
Establishment of the Housing Network
In looking at the potential for the Community sector and PPN to use their platform to try and progress these issues, the Sligo PPN Thematic Housing Network was established by Sligo PPN representatives who brought together key stakeholders to discuss and collaborate.
The network decided to develop a series of policy papers addressing key agreed-upon housing issues. The papers would be used by PPN representatives at the decision-making table, would be presented by Sligo PPN representatives to the relevant government departments, and would also be made public for use by the community sector.
Development of Policy Papers
These papers were compiled by the Sligo Public Participation Network (PPN) Housing with assistance from Social Justice Ireland, who were commissioned to carry out the research and compile.
There are five papers in total:
