Vacancy rate of 4.3% represents tens of thousands of homes lying empty while 11,632 people are living in emergency homeless accommodation
The Vacant Dwelling Indicators released today by the Central Statistics Office (CSO) highlight the urgent need for a strong and effective Vacant Homes Tax, according to Social Democrats Housing spokesperson Cian O’Callaghan.
“The fact that an estimated 4.3% of homes in Ireland are vacant is a slap in the face to the tens of thousands of people who are in dire need of housing. Shamefully, there are several electoral divisions with a vacancy rate of well over 20%.
“Particularly concerning is that in Dublin, where the need for housing is most acute, the vacancy rate has actually grown since 2016. This would be unacceptable at any time. However, in the midst of a housing crisis, it is utterly unforgivable.
“A vacancy rate of 4.3% represents tens of thousands of homes lying empty while 11,632 people are living in emergency homeless accommodation.
“The figures released today provide a conservative estimate of the levels of vacancy. The CSO only counted vacant homes that have an active ESB connection, which many empty properties don’t have.
“The Government’s new Vacant Homes Tax is far too weak to act as a real disincentive to speculators sitting on empty homes. At just 0.3% of the value of the property, this captures only a small fraction of rising house prices.
“There are now 3,442 children living in emergency homeless accommodation – a 40% rise in just one year. The Government needs to start treating this crisis with the urgency it deserves by introducing a punitive Vacant Homes Tax.
“In our alternative budget for 2023, the Social Democrats called for this tax to be set at 10%, with a number of fair exemptions. This would send a clear message to speculators sitting on empty homes in the middle of a housing disaster – use it, rent it, or sell it.
“Rents, house prices and homelessness have never been so high. We don’t have time for the ineffective half-measures this Government constantly proposes.”
January 31, 2023