Peter McVerry Trust, the national housing and homeless charity, has welcomed today’s announcement by Housing Minister Darragh O’Brien that the Repair and Leasing Scheme thresholds have been increased by 50% to €60,000. The Repair and Leasing Scheme offers zero percent loans to the owners of long-term vacant buildings which are refurbished for use as social housing.

Peter McVerry Trust, which has been very active on the Repair and Leasing Scheme, has said the new thresholds will result in more social housing and less vacant properties in many towns across Ireland. The charity is currently active in progressing Repair and Leasing projects in Dublin, Kildare, Cork, Galway, Louth and Wicklow.

Pat Doyle, CEO of Peter McVerry Trust, said “The increase in the Repair and Leasing thresholds by 50% is something we have sought for a few years and we are delighted Minister O’Brien has secured the increase.”

“We strongly believe that there are opportunities out there that can be turned around because of this increase. Peter McVerry Trust had nearly 30 homes that couldn’t progress because of the lower cost thresholds but these can now go ahead. It also allows us to revisit projects that may have been ruled out previously because of the costs involved.”

“Reusing empty homes for social housing not only provides a home for someone in need, it also helps to regenerate cities, towns and villages, and tackles issues such as anti-social behaviour which are often associated with derelict buildings.”

“We would appeal that anyone with a property that has been vacant for 12 months or more to contact us to see if it is a property that can be reused under the Repair and Leasing Scheme.”