By Keith Bourke
A meeting of Mayo County Council’s Housing Strategic Policy Committee meeting has heard that there are currently 2,726 applicants on the local authority’s housing list.
Director of Services Tom Gilligan revealed the figures during a presentation on the council’s draft vacant homes strategy and vacant homes action plan. Last year’s census identified 9,166 vacant homes in Mayo. Mr Gilligan said the council will be adopting a ‘carrot-and-stick approach’ in an effort to get more vacant homes back into use.
Director of Services Tom Gilligan revealed the figures during a presentation on the council’s draft vacant homes strategy and vacant homes action plan.
There is a range of legislative powers available to the council to deal with immediate and specific environmental issues such as nuisance, fly-tipping, presence of vermin, and insecure or dangerous buildings.
Since November 2022, the council has been carrying out a data collection exercise to identify vacant dwellings in towns and villages across the county. All vacant properties identified will be investigated and owners will be traced and contacted where possible.
The council will provide advice and information to owners of vacant properties to help identify the best options available, including a range of Government-supported schemes. The Repair and Lease Scheme saw 19 units brought back into use last year.
In 2022, 15 properties in the county were approved for the Croi Conaithe scheme with 24 still in progress. In addition, the council is undertaking a project and collaborating with the Housing Finance Agency and housing solution platform Homebuyer’s Hero to bring vacant homes back into use.
As part of a national plan, a Town Centre First initiative will also be rolled out in the county.
Town Centre First plans will be produced by a local Town Team drawn from local community and business representatives. The position of Town Regeneration Officer for Mayo has recently been advertised. The council’s Vacant Homes Officer will work with the Town Regeneration Officer in an effort to ensure vacancy is addressed in the county as part of an overall holistic Town Centre First approach.
