Some 110 housing units in local counties to be created from derelict properties

Some 55 housing units are expected to be provided in each of Westmeath and Roscommon thanks to funding to address dereliction and vacancy.

The figures were provided this week after Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage Darragh O’Brien updated Cabinet on the third call under the Urban Regeneration and Development Fund (URDF).

The third round of URDF was announced in January last year and specifically targeted at addressing long term vacancy and dereliction across cities and towns and at the provision of residential accommodation.

The update provided by Minister O’Brien shows that 1,224 vacant and derelict properties in URDF areas have been identified and approved under the scheme and that the estimated residential yield from these properties is 5,406 homes.

In Westmeath, some 24 vacant and derelict properties are involved, with 55 units to be provided, following a €2.5m funding allocation. Roscommon is to receive €1m for five property, but these are also expected to yield an estimated 55 housing units.

The fund is available to all Local Authorities to cover the purchase price of properties (residential and commercial) and any minor works required to make the property more suitable for sale

Acquired properties are then offered for private sale to those who in return will commit to bringing the property back into residential use. Purchasers of these properties are also able to defray the costs of returning them to use by accessing the Vacant and Derelict Property Refurbishment Grant, the SEAI energy efficiency grants or the Repair and Leasing Scheme subject to eligibility.