New research conducted by Peter McVerry Trust shows that 62 per cent of people are in favour of a tax on empty homes.
The charity, which has had a long-running campaign on empty homes, derelict sites, and underused spaces, is now urging the Government to bring forward legislation to introduce an empty homes tax in Ireland.
Pat Doyle, CEO of Peter McVerry Trust, said: “Peter McVerry Trust welcomes the results of the poll which shows 62 per cent of people, a clear majority, are in favour of an empty homes tax being applied.
“We strongly believe in the merits of an empty homes tax because it will encourage the owners of empty homes to either take up existing grant schemes or place their properties on the market. Ultimately, an empty homes tax will result in an increased number of homes to rent, to buy, and to be used for social housing.
“At Peter McVerry Trust we see empty homes as having enormous potential in tackling homelessness. Bringing empty homes back into use means we can get individuals and couples out of homelessness quicker and reduce the need for emergency accommodation.”
“Peter McVerry Trust has been working to get empty buildings back into use as homes for three years now and during that time we have delivered over 50 homes for people exiting homelessness. We have a pipeline of double that number over the next three years and we see enormous potential in these buildings.
“We can turn these empty homes around, quickly, cheaply, and to very high standards. We would urge the Government to include an empty homes tax in new empty homes strategy because it will help maximise the huge potential that exists to increase housing supply in high-need areas.”
