€10MILLION has been allocated to Limerick to tackle vacancy and dereliction in empty residential accommodation throughout the city and county.
Under the Urban Regeneration and Development Fund (URDF), €10million has been allocated for 164 disused properties across Limerick to bring them back into residential use.
Of the 164 properties identified, there is a potential housing yield of 481 units once the properties are brought back into use.
The €10m funding will allow Limerick City and County Council to purchase vacant properties with a view to selling them on the open market once any enabling works are completed, such as improving access, tidying up, and opening up to facilitate inspections.
The properties are then offered for sale to those who will commit to bringing the properties out of vacancy and dereliction and into residential use.
Mayor of Limerick councillor Gerald Mitchell said that the funding boost “is an acknowledgement that Limerick City and County Council is setting an example when it comes to tackling dereliction”.
“This funding will allow the council to continue their good work, bringing vacant and derelict properties back into use. This work is helping to revitalise communities, bringing buildings back to life and providing much needed housing.”
Head of the local authority’s Property Management Department, Jayne Leahy, said that the “funding represents an exciting step forward for Limerick City and County Council”.
“The funding will allow for increased support to re-activate vacant and derelict properties in Limerick. Our main focus will be on properties that are already residential in nature or have potential for residential occupation going forward.”
Limerick Minister Patrick O’Donovan also welcomed the funding allocation, saying that it helps to increase housing supply for those who want to own their own home.
“It is one of the key issues for people of Limerick out on the doors recently – housing remains a concern.”
