Council to return 42 vacant social housing properties to use

WORK on returning dozens of vacant and boarded-up social housing units throughout County Clare to productive use will begin next month.

Clare County Council’s Housing Department says it will refurbish 42 properties before the end of the year as a result of two tranches of funding allocations received from the Department of the Environment, Community & Local Government.

The council this week received €399,500 to carry out works to 20 vacant properties in Ennis (10), Ruan, Shannon (2), Kilrush, Cross, Clarecastle, Whitegate, Killaloe and Moyasta.

Eaarlier this year the Department approved €400,740 for the purpose of refurbishing 22 other properties located in Clarecastle, Ennistymon (3), Kildysart, Tulla, Corofin and Sixmilebridge (2), Ennis, Mullagh, Cross, Newmarket-On-Fergus, Shannon, Kilkee, Miltown Malbay and Broadford.

Work is scheduled to commence next month with all 42 properties expected to be made available for habitation before the end of 2014.

The news has been welcomed by Cathaoirleach of Clare County Council, Councillor John Crowe, who said: “This investment will breathe new life into the local communities concerned as empty houses are refurbished and once again occupied. I wish the occupants of these properties the very best for the future.”

Leonard Cleary, Senior Executive Officer, Housing, Clare County Council outlined that these funding announcements represent an important step towards reducing the number of families awaiting accommodation on the Housing List.

Consequently, 42 families on the council’s housing list in will receive offers of new homes during the coming months as a result of these refurbishment works.