New report says multi-agency approach needed to address disadvantage for people living in draughty homes in Waterford estates

The spirit is strong in a neglected area of Waterford city and the will of the people is behind new plans to transform the place. However, Waterford City and County Council are now being called on to fall in behind the community of Larchville/Lisduggan.

While it was encouraging that the local authority had representatives present for the launch on June 5 of a report titled ‘Peoples Transition – Larchville and Lisduggan’, resourcing is required.

The report was launched by the Think-tank for Action on Social Change (TASC) working in collaboration with Waterford Area Partnership and it calls for a multi-agency approach to provide services, tackle disadvantage and deliver necessary climate change initiatives.

Three key solutions are proposed: a co-ordinated approach to the improvement of facilities, an area-based retrofitting initiative, and more green space facilities to support mental health.

The areas of Lisduggan and Larchville, on the edge of Waterford city, are defined as ‘very disadvantaged’ under the Pobal Deprivation Index. Built over half a century ago, the estates have a higher-than-average concentration of people over 65, lone parents and people with disabilities.

Due to an ageing housing stock, the insulation is poor and heating costs are high in an area with above average unemployment and social need. A survey of 54 local residents carried out as part of the research where 96% identified better insulation as a prime issue for their families.

Report author Róisín Greaney, points out that the very high level of housing in local authority ownership, currently standing at 37%, means local authority input could have a major impact in addressing this issue.

PROPOSALS

The report proposes an area-based approach to tackling the problem.
Róisín said, “This would involve a multi-agency response, and could be led by the Council, to work with the communities of Larchville and Lisduggan.”

The area would benefit from a comprehensive retrofitting scheme for all houses in the area, whether in public or private ownership, including rental properties.

As Róisín pointed out, “There are templates in other jurisdictions, including an initiative by Leeds City Council, where the similarly disadvantaged suburb of Holbeck was prioritised for retrofitting.”

GREEN SPACE

As well as aging housing, the report draws attention to the lack of recreational and green spaces saying this absence contributes further to disadvantage and mental health concerns. In response, the report proposes:

– the creation of community orchards and tree planting,
– ‘repair cafes’ to encourage recycling and reuse,
– and the development of a Library of Things, where local people could borrow appliances and other occasional items of need at low cost.

Download the report here.