Reply - Q18 National Vacant Homes Action Plan

COMHAIRLE CONTAE ÁTHA CLIATH THEAS
SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

South Dublin County Council Crest

MEETING OF SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

Monday, July 10, 2023

QUESTION NO. 18

QUESTION: Councillor E. Ó Broin

To ask the Chief Executive how many vacant properties SDCC have listed for purchase under the scheme described in this Journal article : https://www.thejournal.ie/local-councils-vacant-properties-6098681-Jun2023/

REPLY:

The National Vacant Homes Action Plan, launched in January 2023, consolidates the various strands of work to address vacancy, with data on progress and delivery to date and actions being pursued. This Action Plan includes objective 19.5 from Housing for All which provides for the introduction of a new programme for the CPO of vacant properties for resale on the open market. Under this Programme, local authorities are now required to adopt a proactive, planned and systematic approach to the identification and activation of vacant and derelict properties. The main steps of the Programme include:

identification of vacant and derelict properties,
identification of and engagement with owners,
communication regarding the various schemes and measures in place to support bringing the property back into use, and
where owners of vacant and derelict properties cannot be identified or where they are unwilling to engage, use of available legislative powers to compulsory purchase or acquire such properties using either the Housing Act,1966 or the Derelict Sites Act, 1991.

Acquired properties may subsequently be used for social housing, made available for sale on the open market or used for other purposes e.g., community use. The Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage (DHLGH) has set the following targets for this Council:

Scheme	Target	Update@30.06.23
Repair and Lease	2	1 application approved
Vacant and Derelict Properties	25	20 vacant homes grants approved
Compulsory Acquisitions	4	4 properties awaiting determination by An Bord Pleanála

The Council now has Vacant Homes Officers (VHOs) in place and their role is to identify vacant properties, engage with the owners and promote and lead the uptake of initiatives, schemes and funding programmes which will bring those properties back into use. The Vacant Homes Officers are currently undertaking a detailed survey of vacant properties in South Dublin in conjunction with the DHLGH.