Plan could bring hundreds of vacant homes back to life
A new system aimed at bringing empty homes back into use for social housing – which could be refurbished and ‘turned around’ in a matter of weeks – has identified more than 130 such properties in Galway.
VacantHomes.ie – a portal which allows people to anonymously log possible vacant properties which can then be inspected by local authorities – has identified 93 ‘empties’ in Co Galway and a further 41 in Galway City. They are amongst around 2,000 nationally.
Tom Gilligan, the architect of the website and a Director of Services with Mayo County Council, told the Connacht Tribune that it would be much faster to bring empties back into use than delivering new builds, due to the lengthy planning process.
“The planning process can take months, but it would be possible with an empty to bring it back in weeks.
“What we’re doing is providing information to housing associations and local authorities that these are vacant homes and could be brought back into use,” said Mr Gilligan.
While the website has recorded more than 130 empties in Galway, these would appear to be the ‘tip of the iceberg’ – Census 2016 recorded 10,279 empty homes in County Galway and a further 3,681 empty holiday homes (which equates to around one in every five homes). In Galway City, the Census recorded 3,671 empties, of which 193 were holiday homes.
Michael Owens, Director of Services for Housing with Galway County Council said other local authorities have found the Census figures to be “overstated”.
Tom Gilligan pointed out that the Census is just a snapshot of a particular moment in time, and the figures are now two-and-a-half years old.
“We firmly believe that local people have the local knowledge and we are using technology in order to provide a solution to vacant homes. Vacant housing stock is one of the best ways to address [social housing] needs, the potential there cannot be ignored.
“What we’re trying to do is tap into the local knowledge and try to get homes back into use. This isn’t just a housing issue – there is a climate, economic, social and community aspect to it, in terms of dereliction and anti-social behaviour and local jobs,” said Mr Gilligan.
He said that vacant houses could be used to deliver social housing faster than new builds.
“A vacant house could be brought back in weeks,” he said.
See full story in this week’s Connacht Tribune.
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