Mayo town's 'chronic lack of housing provision' highlighted

Ballina is suffering from a chronic lack of housing provision, local elected representative, Councillor Mark Duffy, has highlighted.

He stated: "Today, there are no properties to rent in Ballina on daft.ie or property.ie.

"Of the 477 local authority homes in Ballina, just two are currently vacant - a vacancy rate of just 0.42%.

"I have repeatedly advocated for incentives to building owners who have vacant spaces in the first second and third floors of town centre properties to help return families and professionals into our town which will support the local economy including its many family owned businesses.

"If you are a building owner with vacant space, please consider the restoration and regeneration of the property to allow Ballina to grow and meet the needs of a critical demand that exists here currently."

Councillor Duffy has outlined what can be done:

1. Large scale, high quality urban developments including shared work spaces with amenities such as gyms and green spaces on publicly owned land such as the Ballina Mineral Water site on Lower Pearse Street.

2. Mayo towns and villages should be eligible for the living cities initiative which would offer incentives for property owners to renovate and regenerate vacant and derelict sites.

"We owe it to the 500 families on the social housing list in Ballina, to the young people who are trying to get ahead, the couples trying to buy their first home, the professionals who want to live and work here and have little hope currently.

"Working together we can get lights back in the windows above the shops in our towns and villages across Mayo," he added.