Increased funding to tackle Mayo's vacant homes issue

A 20% increase in funding for the Vacant Homes Officers (VHO) in Mayo County Council will ensure greater action is taken on tackling vacant houses across the county to transform them into new homes, Deputy Alan Dillon has stated.

Since 2018, the Department of Housing has provided funding to each local authority of €50,000 per annum to support the work of a Vacant Homes Office including the funding of posts of VHOs.

Given the enhanced focus on tackling vacancy in the housing stock, the funding for VHOs will increase by 20% to €60,000.

Deputy Dillon said: “While all local authorities already have VHOs in place, they are mostly part-time roles and this 20% increase in funding will ensure the role is transitioned to a full-time position so that we can see real results in repurposing idle and empty houses across Mayo.

“Seeing buildings and homes lying vacant in our communities across Mayo goes against the grain when we know there are so many young people, families and individuals in need of affordable and quality housing.

"Supply is a massive challenge, which is why I believe that returning Mayo’s vacant properties to the market is so important.

“Housing For All has given an enhanced commitment to recognising the opportunity within vacant homes by increasing funding, and the government recently announced the decision to allow vacant and derelict properties to be turned into homes without the requirement for planning permission.

“This announcement of the increase in funding and expansion of the role of the VHO from Local Government Minister Peter Burke is proof of the Government’s commitment to repurposing vacant homes and idle buildings.

“Tapping into our existing vacant home potential offers a huge opportunity to bolster the housing stock across Mayo and ultimately to turn empty houses into new homes.”