Alarm as Homelessness on the Increase in Wicklow Town

Homelessness in Wicklow town is becoming an increasing problem with many people now sleeping rough in the area, a member of the local Town Council has claimed. Councillor Fachtna Whittle told the monthly meeting of the Council last night that while there appears to be a many foreigners working in Wicklow there is also a growing problem of homelessness.

Homelessness growing in Wicklow

In relation to housing, Councillor Whittle asked if the County Council intends to take responsibility for the long waiting list in the urban area. `There are 288 people on the list at present and yet we are told there is a delay in going ahead with planned social housing’, he said.

There was also a suggestion at last night’s meetings that consideration will have to be given soon to extending the urban boundary as many people living in the County Council area are availing of the services offered by the Town Council.

Town Manager, Michael Nicholson said that county councils are always reluctant to extend urban boundaries as it decreases the rate income.