€1.3m fund to refurbish social housing units

Council will be able to re-let to individuals struggling with homelessness or on a housing list

Meath County Council has been granted €1.3m to refurbish social housing units which will be re-let to individuals struggling with homelessness or on a housing list.

As part of the July Stimulus Programme, the Government announced over €40m for the refurbishment of voids, the largest single amount ever announced under the voids programme.

The funding will allow the refurbish and re-let of 80 social housing units.

The news has been welcomed according to Fine Gael TD and Minister of State Damien English who said:

“There has been a fantastic response from local authorities to the 2020 Voids Stimulus Programme. Nationally 2,398 applications from Local Authorities across Ireland have been approved at a cost of €39.8 million, with further applications anticipated.

“I am delighted that Meath County Council will be allocated funding of €1.3million to refurbish and re-let 80 social housing units, which will help individuals and families who are struggling with homelessness or who are on the social housing list.

Meath County Council made applications which were categorised into three funding streams; standard voids at an average cost of approximately €11,500, homeless voids at an average cost of €17,300 and long-term voids at an average cost of €47,000.

“The Department is in a position to approve these applications and Meath Co Council can now begin its work on making these vacant units available for individuals and families so they can start a new chapter in their lives and make a home for themselves.

“The Government is helping local authorities and developers to plan and build better and more houses for people to live in, particularly during the current crisis.”

Meath East Fianna Fáil TD and Minister for EU Affairs Thomas Byrne is hopeful that all works will be carried out by the end of this year. He said:

“In July the Minister for Housing Darragh O’Brien TD announced over €40 million for the refurbishment of voids, the largest single amount ever announced under the voids programme.

“I’m pleased that Meath County Council have been allocated €1,336,000 which will result in 80 void units being refurbished and re-letto individuals and families, struggling with homelessness or on the social housing list.

“My government colleague, Darragh O’Brien is insisting that all works should be carried out and all units allocated by the end of this year and local authorities will be providing status updates to the Department” concluded Minister Byrne.