Cork local authorities bring 240 homes back into use with investment of over €4m

CORK'S two local authorities brought 240 council houses back into use last year with a total investment of more than €4.1m.

The figures were revealed in new data issued by the Department of Housing.

While Cork City Council were able to restore 130 local authority houses to use, at a cost of €2,562,517, the County Council brought 110 voids back into use with a total price tag of €1,577,857.

The average cost of restoring what is termed a ‘void’ house to use was €19,711 in the City Council area while, for Cork County Council, the cost was €14,344.

Last year a total of 2481 voids were restored to use across all of Ireland’s local authorities, with a total investment of €46,000. The average cost per house returned to use was €18,540.

The voids programme was introduced under the Government’s Housing for All plan with the aim of preparing vacant homes for re-letting.

According to Housing Minister Darragh O’Brien, who welcomed the figures, it builds on the ongoing work to tackle vacancy and dereliction by bringing vacant buildings back into re-use for housing.

“Refurbishment and the return to use of vacant properties helps to reduce pressure on existing housing stock, increase supply, and ultimately, provide much needed homes for people,” said Minister O’Brien.

“Apart from addressing the need for social housing, the refurbishment of these unoccupied social homes also has a positive impact on communities,” he said, adding that it prevented ‘the decline and abandonment of vacant properties, which, in some instances, can lead to antisocial behaviour’.

Minister O’Brien commended local authorities for working with the Department to bring these previously vacant houses back into active use and said their efforts would ‘make a real difference’ in the lives of over 2,400 households.

“I commend local authorities’ for working with us to bring these homes back into active use in 2023. Their efforts, will make a real difference in the lives of over 2,400 households “All local authorities are encouraged to continue to be as proactive as possible in the return of all vacant properties to use through the use of the Voids Funding Programme as well as other programmes such as the Buy & Renew and Repair & Lease Schemes.

"Speed in tackling vacant social housing is also critical to regeneration and improving the vitality and vibrancy of communities in towns and cities across the country.

“Through this Housing for All action we have now have shifted to a position of planned maintenance of social housing stock to ensure the fastest possible turnaround and re-let times for social housing stock.’’