A long term vacant property, this three-bed semi detached property in Dublin 15 is now a new home for a family impacted by homelessness.

The property was vacant for six years between 2012 and 2018 and was in a poor state of repair. The owner of the property was in poor health and had not got the required resources to bring the property back into use. After hearing about the Peter McVerry Trust Empty Homes Initiative the owner contacted the charity in August 2018 with an interest in leasing the house under  Repair and Leasing scheme.

The empty homes coordinator reviewed the property in September 2018. The property was deemed suitable for the scheme based on the length of time the property was vacant (over 12 months), the refurbishment work required, and the demand for social housing in the area. Peter McVerry Trust costed the renovation works and they fell within the scope of the €40,000 interest-free grant available for refurbishment as part of the scheme. An application was made to Fingal County Council in collaboration with Peter McVerry Trust to bring the property back into use under the Rebuilding Ireland the Repair and Leasing scheme. In late 2018 the application was granted and works began on the property in January 2019.

In a matter of months, the property was completely renovated and brought back into use for social housing. It is occupied by a family of four who were previously homeless. Peter McVerry Trust now manage the property and the tenant under a 20 year lease with the owner.

Project Partners:

• Peter McVerry Trust
• Fingal County Council
• Department of Housing, Planning and Local Government
• Rebuilding Ireland