The launch of the unoccupied homes call 'Offer a Home', which is being led by local authorities with oversight from my Department, took place on 24 November 2022.
Property owners can offer homes at offerahome.ie or by contacting the local authority in which their property is located. Properties offered need to be habitable and must meet certain health and safety standards, developed by the Local Government sector and agreed by my Department.
Local authorities managing the programme recommend that property owners and beneficiaries sign a temporary accommodation licence agreement to protect the rights of the property owner, the beneficiary, and the property itself. The relevant local authority can provide home owners with a template licence agreement.
This licence agreement should also include the payment of utilities which should be agreed by the property owner and the beneficiary at the outset of the arrangement. Should the beneficiaries require assistance in transferring bills to their names, they may contact Citizens Information, Community Response Fora or the relevant local authority.
Property owners are entitled to claim the Accommodation Recognition Payment (ARP), which is a tax-free, monthly payment per month from the Department of Social Protection for each property used to provide accommodation to refugees from Ukraine. The payment increased to €800 per month from 1 December 2022.
More information can be found on www.offerahome.ie.