The national housing and homeless charity, Peter McVerry Trust, has announced that it has delivered the first Repair and Lease home in Co. Louth. The long-term vacant property in Drogheda was returned to use, through the Repair and Leasing Scheme under Rebuilding Ireland, in partnership with the property’s owner and Louth County Council.
Peter McVerry Trust, which has its North East regional office in Drogheda, said it is hopeful that this will be the first of many such properties.
Francis Doherty, Head of Communications at the charity said “We are delighted to be able to bring this long term empty home back into use and help a family to exit homelessness. We have been working closely with Louth County Council to respond to the housing needs of people impacted by homelessness in the county. As part of our efforts to deliver more social housing in the county we are specifically focusing on reusing empty buildings for social housing.”
“We are hugely committed to the Repair and Leasing scheme which sees property owners get an interest-free loan to cover the cost of the repair works. Peter McVerry Trust can also take on the management of the contractor and will also manage the tenant and the property for the duration of the long-term lease.
Peter McVerry Trust has now delivered the first homes under the Repair and Leasing scheme in Cork City, Dublin City, Fingal, Limerick, and Louth. Earlier this year the charity also secured Louth’s first Buy and Renew property, with renovation works due to start on that property in November 2019.”
Appeal for the owners of Empty Properties to Come Forward
Mr Doherty said “We would urge the owners of other vacant properties to come forward to see what schemes may be available to get their properties back into use. If people don’t want to retain ownership, and the property is located in an area of social housing need, then we may be able to purchase it under the Buy and Renew scheme and get it back to use for social housing that way. Essentially though we need more owners to come forward and contact us to get the thousands of empty buildings and empty units above shops back into use.”
Concluding, Mr Doherty said “Peter McVerry Trust would like to thank the property owner and Louth County Council for their support and partnership in making this home available. Without the involvement of private property owners and their willingness to help alleviate the social housing crisis the Repair and Leasing scheme cannot succeed.”
Learn more about our empty homes initiative here.
