Scheme offers landlords up to €40k to do up buildings for social housing

DETAILS of a scheme that offers funding of up to €40,000 to the owners of vacant properties to do them up for lease as social housing have been outlined to county councillors.

They were given an overview of the Repair and Leasing Scheme, which has been rolled out by Cork County Council after being successfully piloted in Carlow and Waterford, at the June meeting of the Kanturk/ Mallow committee.

The scheme is aimed at the owners of buildings that have been empty for a minimum of 12-months and who wish to enter a leasing agreement with the council .

Outlining the initiative, council official Seamus De Faoite said its principal objective was to deliver social housing quickly by targeting the turn around of vacant units that required only limited refurbishment works.

The scheme is not available for private renting, with Cork County Council appointing applicants from its housing list.

Mr De Faoite said it was specifically aimed at the owners of buildings who either cannot afford or access the funding needed to bring their properties to the “required standard for rental property.”

“It is intended that the scheme, a key component of the Rebuilding Ireland programme, will entice these owners to look afresh at the potential of their properties,” said Mr De Faoite.

“Bringing these properties back into use will also contribute to rural renewal by improving the appearance of the areas where they are situated.”

Eligibility for the scheme will depend on the location and suitability of the property for social housing and the extent of any repairs that may be needed.

Works must be agreed and costed prior to a lease being signed after which the works will be undertaken and the property inspected money is handed over. Mr De Foite said that in addition to having their property upgraded, owners would be guaranteed a steady rental income, would not have to deal with tenants and dayto-day maintenance and the property would be returned in good repair and condition at the end of the lease period.

While the scheme was given a broad welcome by councillors, Cllr Melissa Mullane (SF) said it “did not replace building the new homes” needed to tackle the councils growing housing list, a point also made by Cllr Timmy Collins (Ind).

In response to a query from Cllr John Paul O’Shea (Ind), Mr De Foite said the council had already received more than 40 expressions of interest in the scheme since it was introduced .

For details of the scheme and application forms visit www. corkcoco.ie.