New scheme aims to use vacant houses to ease social housing crisis



The owners of vacant properties across the North West may now be able to avail of a new scheme which aims to bring vacant houses back into productive use.

The Repair and Leasing Scheme will allow owners of houses which have been vacant for over a year the chance to carry out repairs to bring them up to letting standard.

It works like a loan where the homeowner can recoup the cost of the works from the Council over a period of time in lieu of a lease to rent the property for social housing needs.

Local Authorities are currently seeking expressions of interest from people who may be interested in taking part.

Patsy Lafferty, the divisional manager with the House Department at Donegal County Council outlines the benefits of the scheme:



Related