Rasmussen welcomes €15m local authority housing fund

Cllr Cathal Rasmussen welcomes the news that a €15m fund to bring vacant local authority houses back into use has been launched by Minister for Housing and Planning, Jan O’Sullivan, TD.

Local authorities have been asked to submit their proposals for funding under the scheme by 28th March next. Minister O’Sullivan will then make allocations as soon as possible afterwards and it is expected that the fund will bring approximately 500 vacant local authority units back into beneficial use this year.

Speaking about the initiative, Minister O’Sullivan stated, “Increasing the supply of social housing is a priority. This €15m fund will turn some 500 empty units into high quality homes for people in need of housing.
Cllr Rasmussen said “ this is good news as the waiting list for people on the housing list is huge and any investment that will help reduce this can only be good news “

“Given the demand for social housing we need to ensure that no home is left vacant. Vacant housing cannot be tolerated – it deprives a family of a home and the vacant unit can often become a focal point for nuisance and anti-social behaviour. Tackling this issue will provide much-needed homes and enhance local communities. Funding will be allocated on the basis of equitable and evidence-based criteria which will reflect the merit and cost effectiveness of proposals and the degree of local housing need”

“This scheme is an important step in ensuring that we are moving in the right direction as there is nothing worse than seeing available houses boarded up while people are waiting to be housed “ stated Cllr Rasmussen

“With the support of Minister Brendan Howlin the Government will invest €15m in the scheme this year. The investment will also create jobs in the building and green energy sectors in local communities. Local authorities that access the fund will be encouraged to use the services of community based organisations who recruit and train long-term unemployed people for some of the required works.”

Cllr Rasmussen also said “Employing local people as much as possible is vital in this scheme and I would encourage the Council to ensure this happens, as far too often we see outside contractors being employed when we have plenty of locals who should be doing this work “

“This is an innovative scheme and I would encourage Cork County Council to submit detailed proposals by 28th March next to ensure that the maximum possible monies are secured for this region ” he said.