“Every Local Authority (LA) needs a dedicated ‘Derelict Housing SWAT team’ to speed up the process of CPOing houses and buildings that are being left derelict by absentee or disinterested property owners,” says Fianna Fáil Ireland South candidate, Billy Kelleher MEP.
“Over recent months, but especially in recent weeks on the campaign trail, I have been disturbed by the number of properties in our towns, villages and in the countryside that remain derelict or vacant.
“Property owners who consistently allow their buildings to become derelict are engaging in societal vandalism.
“While I know that housing isn’t a competence of the EU, I cannot ignore this issue as I criss-cross the constituency and speak to voters and city and county councillors.
Carrot versus the Stick
“Housing Minister O’Brien TD has put in place many supports to help those who buy these types of properties. However, our Local Authorities need the resources, funding and expertise needed to actively CPO derelict properties that are not being put onto the market by owners.
“The carrot is being offered by the Government but it’s really time for the stick now.
“These SWAT Teams would have the legal, engineering, planning and administrative expertise to follow the process until the very end.
“While all our Local Authorities have property units that are nominally responsible for Compulsory Purchases, I don’t think this essential process is being prioritised.
“All LAs should have targets for the number of CPOs per year. Councils that achieve or exceed targets should also be rewarded by the State.
“We quite simply have too many derelict homes. They are being left idle, to fall into rack and ruin by owners who either don’t care about the property, don’t have the money to refurbish them or who are waiting to demolish them when they collapse in on themselves.
“The upshot is possibly tens of thousands of potential homes in our towns, villages and rural communities being left idle when we have a housing crisis on our hands.
“Targeting the low hanging fruit i.e. providing grants to people who buy derelict homes is paying dividends. It’s now time to put in place the teams that can follow through on the necessary process to bring this other sector of our housing stock back into use for the common good,” concluded Kelleher.
