Kells tenants face 'unacceptable’ delay to get new houses

A number of Kells people who were informed last year that they had been allocated council houses in the Westfield estate in the town still haven't got the keys to their new homes. They are angry at the huge delay, particularly as they believed they may have been moving into new homes for Christmas. The delay has been criticised by local town councillor, Brian Curran, who said that as some of the tenants will be leaving other council accommodation, it was also delaying the allocation of the premises they will be vacating. He explained that the families in question had been told on 8th November last that they had been allocated housing, but they are still waiting to move in. “We are now into February and they still haven't got their keys, despite the fact that the houses were finished over six months ago,†said Cllr Curran. “They don't know when they are going to be able to move in. They thought they would be able to move into their new homes for Christmas and were very excited. Then they were forced to remain in their current conditions over Christmas and New Year and they still have heard nothing,†he said. Cllr Curran said the families in question feel that they are being fobbed off. “It is unacceptable that this has been allowed to happen. It is not fair on the people involved and it is delaying the whole housing process, as other families would be moving into the house they will be leaving,†he added. He acknowledged that the council housing officer worked hard and had done some great work for the town, but he was concerned for the families that have been left in limbo. “We have been told that the snag lists needed to be completed, but this is unacceptable. At a time when so little work is to be found, it should not take all this time to finish the work,†said the independent town councillor. A spokesperson for Kells Town Council said that the snag lists on the houses had been completed and an inspection was being carried out yesterday (Tuesday). He said it was hoped that, in the very near future, they would be bringing in the tenants in question for pre-tenancy talks and they will then be able to move into their new houses.