Simon call to buy cheap homes

A CHARITY working for the homeless has urged the Government to take advantage of the recession by buying some of the thousands of vacant houses and apartments left unsold in the property slump.

The Simon Communities of Ireland says that with census figures showing about 15% of private dwellings unoccupied across the country, the time is perfect for a bargain buy-up that could put a huge dent in the number of families awaiting social housing.

Simon Communities chief executive Patrick Burke said some 43,000 families and individuals were on local authority housing waiting lists, while in Dublin alone there were an estimated 10,000 unsold private apartments, almost half of which had two bedrooms.

“If ever there was going to be a possibility of good deals being delivered with public money, it’s now,” he said.

Simon Communities of Ireland, which operates from eight regional centres and helps more than 3,000 individuals and families each year, made the call in publishing its pre-budget submission, which points out that the Government is failing to meet its own targets for the supply of social and affordable housing.

Mr Burke said that at the current rate of progress, only 60% of the housing units promised by the end of next year would be provided. He said at least €1.93 billion needed to be allocated to housing in next week’s early budget to cover spending in 2009 alone.

“In spite of current constraints, there must be no cutbacks in this area. The Government must maintain investment or the numbers experiencing and at risk of homelessness will increase,” he said.

Simon representatives are due to meet with Housing Minister Michael Finneran to discuss its demands in the wake of next week’s budget.