Darragh O'Brien (Dublin Fingal, Fianna Fail)
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Pathway 4 of Housing for All sets out a blueprint to address vacancy and make efficient use of our existing housing stock. Many areas of cities, towns and villages of all sizes face the blight of vacant properties, which, if brought back into use, could add real vibrancy and provide new accommodation in those areas. While the reasons for vacancy are often complex, the re-use and regeneration of vacant properties in cities, towns, villages and rural areas can provide much needed housing while also transforming areas and the communities living in them.

The Vacant Homes Action Plan, which was launched in January, outlines the progress that has been made in addressing vacancy, along with the actions that are being pursued to return as many vacant properties back into use as possible.

As part of the Action Plan, a new CPO Activation Programme was launched in April. The Programme supports a proactive, planned and systematic approach by local authorities to the activation of vacant and derelict properties, bringing them back into use as homes. It also includes guidance and supports for local authorities to actively use their legislative powers to acquire vacant and derelict properties, where engagement with owners has been unsuccessful.

Overall, there is a target of 4,000 properties entering the CPO Activation Programme in 2023. Of these, a target of 400 has been set for properties to enter the compulsory acquisition process, where engagement with the owner has not resulted in the vacant or derelict property being brought back into use. Individual targets have been set for each local authority for 2023. Progress on the Programme will be reported in Quarter 2, 2024.