'Buy-Up Empty Units', Charity Tells State

Thousands of homes left unoccupied as a result of the economic recession should be bought-up by the government, a leading homeless charity has suggested.

Families who have been promised social housing by the government should be placed in the homes, according to the Simon Communities of Ireland.

The charity has urged the government to inject the same amount of funding as last year into the sector, as it has fallen short of targets - for both social and affordable housing.


Simon stressed that there are over 10,000 unsold private premises in Dublin alone, most of which have two bedrooms.

The charity said the state should buy some of these units now, a step that could help to stimulate the construction trade, as well as the wider economy.

Such a move would help the government meet commitments laid down in Towards 2016, and the Nation Development Plan's goal of delivering 44,000 social and affordable houses within three years.

According to the homeless charity, last year - the first year of its roll-out - the housing scheme missed target by 17%, however, this was an increase on the same period for 2006.

To sustain this improved level of growth Simon wants at least €1.93bn earmarked in the housing budget for next year.

(PR/JM)