Derelict and vacant properties in the city could be renovated and the housing waiting list reduced if City Hall can avail of a new €15-million funding scheme.
Fine Gael Galway City East candidate John Walsh is calling on the Galway City Council to avail of the scheme which would, and applications for which must be received by the Department of Environment by the end of this week.
The Government recently allocated €2.5 million to the council for the construction of 15 new homes, but 78 council-owned houses are vacant at present, while more than 3,600 families remain on the waiting list for social housing – some of them for up to 11 years. Mr Walsh has called the situation “outrageous”.
“The €15-million scheme to remediate vacant council properties represents an opportunity to get a larger number of properties in turnkey condition, providing an immediate solution for families in need of a home,” said Mr Walsh.
The Fine Gael candidate said the local authority should prioritise its application under the scheme to ensure that Galway gets a “generous share of the fund”, which is expected to turn around 500 properties nationwide into high quality homes.
