Minister of Housing Darragh O’Brien has announced that the Government is reviewing the possibility of paying holiday homeowners to house Ukrainian refugees. These emergency measures could be introduced to fast-track the procurement process to allow vacant homes to be refurbished for use.
The Minister commented that additional land above and beyond what had been sourced for Housing For All was being examined, later adding that a “trawl” by 31 local authorities had identified 500 locations which could possibly be converted to accommodation facilities. These included of old convents and hospitals. But he did note that some properties could take months to make habitable.
Measures to speed up the refurbishment of vacant social housing were also being introduced, which would house homeless people and free up places in emergency accommodation for refugees.
He added that, “Every lever available to us will be pulled to provide accommodation. Other options being student accommodation, build-to-rent properties and planning permissions that had not yet been activated due to some conditions under consideration.
Mr O’Brien said he intended to use emergency powers under Section 182 which would allow the setting aside of some conditions holding up planning permissions.
In addition to paying holiday homeowners to house Ukrainian refugee, “Every option to provide additional accommodation is being examined.”