Building on the success of the continued investment in the Voids Programme to refurbish and re-let vacant residential properties, 125 social homes were refurbished in South Dublin last year with funding of €1,375,000, a Dublin Mid West TD has said. Deputy Emer Higgins welcomed the progress of the programme which is designed to tackle home vacancy and dereliction and bring vacant properties into reuse for social housing.
Deputy Higgins said “2,307 vacant social homes were returned to active use nationwide in 2022. “And it’s really welcome that the funding from the voids programme has enabled another 125 families on the South Dublin County Council social housing list, to be homed. “It’s evident that more housing is a necessity in the areas of Lucan, Clondalkin, Palmerstown, Rathcoole, Saggart, Brittas and Newcastle and it continues to be the main issue and concern I’m hearing from people in the community,” said Deputy Higgins.
“So, seeing these additional homes being refurbished and returned to use is very encouraging. “South Dublin Local Authority received one of the highest levels of funding from the Voids Programme, receiving €1.35 million last year, which I hope shows that the housing challenges here are being recognised,” added Deputy Higgins. “Since 2014 almost 1,000 homes in South Dublin have been refurbished under the Void programme, with approximately €10 million in funding being allocated. “Addressing vacancy and dereliction across the country to return existing homes to the market is a priority for government and this voids scheme is just one of the ways we are doing that,” concluded Deputy Higgins.
