The management and maintenance of local authority housing stock, including pre-letting repairs to vacant properties, the implementation of a planned maintenance programme and carrying out of responsive repairs, are matters for each individual local authority under Section 58 of the Housing Act 1966.
Notwithstanding this, Exchequer funding has also been provided through my Department's Voids Programme to support local authorities in preparing vacant properties for re-letting. This funding was introduced in 2014 to tackle long term vacancy and is now increasingly targeted to support authority's to ensure minimal turnaround and re-let times for vacant stock.
In relation to Galway City and County Council, the local authorities combined have received over €7.5 million in funding from 2014 to 2021, supporting the return of 623 properties to use.
There has been extensive funding provided particularly over the last two years under the Voids programme which not only catered for standard relets but also for vacant properties requiring more extensive works prior to relet. It is up to each local authority to submit a programme of works based on their individual allocation or targets.
In 2020, €56.4m exchequer funding was provided to bring a total of 3,607 vacant homes back into productive use within the social housing stock. This represents the highest ever yearly spend and the highest number of homes to be refurbished under the voids programme. Within this programme local authorities had the opportunity to remediate long term vacant properties (houses vacant over 12 months) the funding for which was uncapped. Again in 2021, the Voids programme catered for a non-standard refurbishment option which allowed local authorities claim an average of €50,000 funding in this category (no vacancy limit). Full details in relation to output under the 2021 programme will be published presently.
Local authorities will always have a level of vacancy in their housing stock. This will fluctuate over time as tenancy surrender and re-letting of stock is an ongoing process. The list below outlines reasons for vacancy but this is not an exhaustive list.
- For demolition and major regeneration
- Not for letting – earmarked for sale
- Dispute/legal issues holding up tenancy
- 2nd hand acquisition pending refurbishment
- Repaired and awaiting letting
- New build turnkey awaiting letting
- Offered and not accepted.
It is important to note that my Department and local authorities are working to transition from a largely response and voids based approach to housing stock management and maintenance to a planned maintenance approach. This will require the completion of stock condition surveys by all local authorities and the subsequent development of strategic and informed work programmes in response. My Department will support these work programmes by ensuring that the funding available under the various stock improvement programmes are aligned with this approach.
