The CSO Census of Population 2016 indicated that there were approximately 183,000 vacant homes throughout the country (down from 230,000 in 2011). However, in considering that figure, it should be noted that those numbers were recorded at a single point in time and included houses for sale or for rent, as well as homes that are not recoverable for occupancy for a wide range of reasons.
My Department, in conjunction with the local government sector, is working on more accurately identifying the numbers of vacant buildings in between Census dates and understanding the reasons behind that vacancy. In order to more accurately determine the levels of long-term vacant but recoverable dwellings that can be re-introduced into the liveable housing stock, the Department, working with the Housing Agency, the CSO and local authorities, has developed a survey methodology in relation to locating vacant housing. A pilot field-based survey has commenced across six local authorities. To identify long-term vacancy, the pilot will require two visual inspections, six months apart, with those houses occupied between the two inspections disregarded.
The aim of the pilot survey being undertaken is not only to count the number of vacant homes, but also to visually assess the condition of these homes and to focus particularly on areas where there is a high demand for homes, which have vacant or under-utilised houses capable of being brought back into use. The results of the pilot field-based survey will be analysed to assess whether there would be significant value in rolling out the survey on a national basis.
My Department has also made funding available for a Vacant Homes Office in each local authority that will undertake the follow-on work needed to ensure that the owners of vacant properties are engaged with and informed about their options, should they wish to bring their properties back into the liveable housing stock.
The following table provides national and Dublin City vacancy data drawn from Census 2011 and Census 2016. This data excludes “temporarily vacant homes” and “holiday homes” in the classification of vacant dwellings.
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(National and Dublin only) Dwelling Type
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National 2011
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National 2016
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Dublin City 2011
|
Dublin City 2016
|
|
Unoccupied - vacant house
|
168,427
|
140,120
|
7,995
|
7,457
|
|
Unoccupied - vacant flat
|
61,629
|
43,192
|
16,321
|
10,967
|
|
Vacancy Rate:
|
11.53%
|
9.15%
|
10.06%
|
7.66%
|
Between 2011 and 2016, the national vacancy rate fell from 11.53% to 9.15%. Dublin City’s vacancy rate also fell, from 10.06% to 7.66%.
In the case of vacant social housing stock, between 2015 and 2017, Dublin City Council restored 2,866 such units and recovered them in to use as residential social lettings. To date in 2018, Dublin City Council has recovered an additional 267 units into use as residential social lettings. Over 2,100 of these units were supported, with some €33m in funding, under the Voids Programme through which my Department provides support to local authorities in preparing vacant units for re-letting. The purpose of the Voids Programme is to ensure that vacant units are actively targeted, with a view to minimising the turnaround and re-let time of these units and return them to use in an energy efficient condition.
In an effort to tackle vacancy among the private dwelling stock in the city, and under Objective 2 of the National Vacant Housing Reuse Strategy, Dublin City Council is actively promoting two government schemes with private property owners of vacant dwellings, namely the ‘Buy and Renew’ and ‘Repair and Lease’ schemes.
The following table summarises the results of efforts by Dublin City Council to promote the ‘Buy and Renew’ and ‘Repair and Lease’ Schemes. There are currently 337 identified vacant dwellings that Dublin City Council consider are potentially suited for the ‘Buy and Renew’ and ‘Repair and Lease’ schemes. Of these, 160 have been inspected and subsequently a title search has been conducted for 87 units. Title research was not conducted on all inspected properties as some did not appear un-occupied or long-term vacant when inspected while others were sale agreed, under refurbishment, demolished or subject to planning applications.
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Summary Data for DCC ‘Buy and Renew’ and ‘Repair and Lease’ schemes. Active Files
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337
|
|
Inspections carried out
|
160
|
|
Title Research
|
87
|
|
Written correspondence
|
66
|
|
No reply to correspondence
|
59
|
|
Vested/Acquired
|
23
|
|
T&C's Agreed
|
17
|
|
Negotiating
|
3
|
In relation to the number of vacant property owners who are refusing to return a property for use, the City Council indicated that 59 residential property owners with vacant dwellings have not responded to their written correspondence, seeking their interest in participating in the schemes.
