Dept. of Housing Planning & Local Govt launch “Call for Housing 2020”

-A call for vacant properties to provide much needed homes in our communities

-New webpage and phoneline launched to provide information

As Ireland continues to face the Covid-19 challenge, additional measures are being taken in order to provide safe and secure homes for all our communities. The Department of Housing, Planning & Local Government has today launched a “Call for Housing 2020” – a new national call for property owners and developers with vacant properties to make them available for use as social housing.

Involving Local Authorities across the country, Councils are urgently seeking vacant residential properties to provide for those who do not have access to housing.

All Local Authorities are looking for a range of properties including one bed properties, larger family homes and homes that are or can be adapted for those with a disability or accommodation suitable for older people such as a bungalow or an apartment.

Property owners can also enter into a secure letting arrangement while retaining ownership of their asset through the Long Term Social Housing Leasing Scheme. This will provide them with a stable return on their investment during what is admittedly an uncertain time in terms of the property market. A range of other options are also available to property owners to assist in providing social housing supports.

The Department of Housing, Planning & Local Government advise that new builds are the appropriate approach to a long-term housing strategy, however they are also keenly aware of the impact of Covid-19 on the delivery of new builds and priority is to provide sustainable and safe accommodation for those most in need of it.

This joint initiative of the Department of Housing, Planning and Local Government, Local Authorities and the Housing Agency seeks to pair interested property owners with the relevant local authority in order to provide safe, secure housing for those in need.

Information on the available schemes and detail on how property owners can contact the Council via this initiative can go to www.callforhousing.ie, by calling 1800 200 934 (8am – 6pm Mon-Fri) or by email to callforhousing@housingagency.ie