Changes to the Croí Cónaithe Vacant Home Refurbishment Scheme is a game changer in delivering homes and getting rid of derelict sites.
The changes to the Vacant Homes Refurbishment Scheme will be a game changer in delivering homes during this housing emergency.
“By extending the scheme to include vacant houses that can be rented out will ensure that additional homes will become available for renting, this can happen within months and will increase supply for people seeking rental accommodation.
The expansion of the grant scheme to include houses built up to 2007 which are vacant is also a positive reaction which will immediately increase the number of homes coming back into use for first time buyers and for people seeking to rent a home.
It is widely accepted that the level of grant assistance available needs to be increased to ensure that the refurbishment of vacant properties is a viable proposition for owners. This is backed up by the Society of Chartered Surveyors recent case study which demonstrates that the funding needs to be increased from the present maximum of €30K for vacant homes and €50k for derelict properties.
In this regard, I welcome the Government’s commitment to increase the level of funding to take account of inflation in the construction industry since the scheme was introduced.
These proposals, which I, along with my colleagues in the Regional Group, put forward to Government and which were supported by Government are time bound and the changes are to come into effect in the 1st of May 2023.
I believe that these changes will have a positive effect on the supply of homes for first time owner occupiers and for renting and this is the type of action that is needed now. It will also help eliminate the scourge of derelict sites which are present in every city, town, and rural area.
It is imperative that these proposals are acted upon immediately to arrest the crisis that prevails in housing in this country. I will continue to keep pressure on the Government to deliver these changes for the sake of tenants and first-time occupiers.”