€87k funding for seven houses

SEVEN vacant local authority properties will be returned to use this year after the announcement of €87,500 in funding to bring them up to energy efficient condition.

The news has been welcomed by local TD Fergus O’Dowd but he insisted there is much more that needs to be done to tackle vacant homes in the county.

‘Louth County Council are doing a fantastic job in tackling vacant homes in the county and any help that can be provided is welcome,’ he said.

‘ The housing section has already begun a strategic and advanced process of CPO’s in the county.

The Voids programme is already having a major impact on returning local authority housing into use,’ he said

The move is a continuation of the Government’s Social Housing Strategy programme to deliver 47,000 housing units across the country by 2021 at a cost of €5.35 billion.

Deputy O’Dowd said: ‘ This funding will create seven new homes in Louth for homeless households and families on housing waiting lists and will greatly assist our local authority in achieving a quick turnaround and re-letting times for vacant units.

‘Whilst I welcome the funds I believe the party motion I put down recently to increase taxes on long term vacant premises will bring far more potential properties back into use, and I will continue to press the issue this year.’