Clare Fine Gael County Councillors Push for Changes to Vacant Homes Scheme
Clare Fine Gael County Councillors have joined forces to call on the government to expand the current vacant homes scheme. The initiative comes after a motion was introduced by four councillors during the July sitting of the Clare County Council, which urged Housing Minister James Browne to modify the eligibility criteria. The proposed change would allow prospective buyers who need to reside in a property once it is purchased to qualify for the scheme.
Cllr Ryan, who presented the motion, described the issue as “a bit of a funny one” since it affects only a small number of people. However, he mentioned that the topic has been raised several times in recent months. The council members are seeking an adjustment that would permit individuals purchasing historically vacant homes to live in the property while carrying out renovations. This would mean that the house does not have to be in a severely deteriorated condition, but rather in a state where the owner can gradually work on improvements while occupying the space.
The main goal of this adjustment is to prevent property owners from having to pay additional rent for another home while working on their own property. Cllr Ryan emphasized that the scheme has undergone multiple changes over time and believes this is the next logical step forward. He stated, “The scheme has been changed multiple times; I believe this is the next logical evolution.”
Cllr Garrihy supported the motion, describing Cllr Ryan’s discovery as an “anomaly” within what he called a “fantastic scheme.” He highlighted that the problem identified by Conor is that people are unlikely to renovate their homes unless there is an incentive to do so. According to Cllr Garrihy, it is crucial that these historically vacant properties are upgraded and properly maintained by new owners, and this adjustment would help achieve that goal.
Cllr Burke also signed the motion, citing the housing crisis as his primary reason. He believes that the vacant property grant should allow couples to live in the home while they make necessary improvements. His support reflects a broader concern about addressing the shortage of available housing.
Fianna Fáil Councillor Tom O’Callaghan expressed his backing for the motion, emphasizing the importance of exploring every possible option to increase the housing stock and help more people find suitable accommodation. He believes that relaxing the rules around bringing vacant houses into use should be encouraged.
The overall sentiment among the councillors was that any effort to utilize vacant properties and move people into homes is a positive development. The cross-party consensus highlights a shared commitment to addressing housing challenges through innovative solutions.
By advocating for this change, the councillors aim to create a more flexible and effective approach to managing vacant homes, ultimately contributing to the broader goal of improving housing availability and quality in the region.
