Letters to the Editor: Use CPOs to repurpose our vacant residencies

Properties which are beyond renovation could be sold off to individuals who want to build their own homes. File Photo: Richard Mills.

The CSO 2016 figures registered 183,312 vacant residential homes in Ireland. With this number of vacant homes, I would argue we do not have a housing shortage. What we do have is an underutilisation of existing houses.

Local authorities seem shy to use the Housing Act 1966 section 78[1] to compulsorily purchase vacant properties. I believe the Government should set up a task force to use a compulsory purchase orders (CPO) to obtain vacant properties. Some of the many benefits to utilising existing properties are: No need to purchase land, no planning permission is needed, and not least of all, the potential rejuvenation of our inner cities, towns and rural areas.