Senator Cummins, Fine Gael Seanad Spokesperson on Housing, called for the scheme to be replicated following an announcement that €4.2m in funding has been approved through the Government's Repair and Lease Scheme to repurpose St Joseph's House on Manor Hill in Waterford City.
Senator Cummins said: "This is a further example of the Repair and Lease scheme working in Waterford. Even before this announcement and since the Repair and Lease Scheme was launched in Waterford as a pilot through Rebuilding Ireland, Waterford has delivered nearly 50% of all Repair and Lease units nationally. That shouldn't be the case, other local authorities really need to step up to the plate and specific targets need to be set by Minister O'Brien for each LA area.
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"The scheme has had a dramatic impact. It has rejuvenated areas of the city centre and delivered much needed one and two bedroom units, which everyone involved in homeless services will say is key to tackling the issue. As a result, Waterford city and county council have been able to reduce the number of families in emergency accommodation by 93% in the period 2017 to the end of 2020 and individual homeless figures by 55%, despite presentations to the homeless action team effectively doubling in the same period.
"Waterford City and County Council has led the way on this, and we need to use this as an example nationally of what can be achieved through the scheme. If it can work in Waterford on old historic buildings like this, it can work everywhere."
