Dublin housing crisis: City Council tackles funding cuts

Dublin housing crisis: City Council tackles funding cuts.

Dublin’s housing crisis is set to worsen in the coming year as Dublin City Council grapples with significant funding cuts for the refurbishment of vacant homes. In a candid statement, Robert Buckle, a senior engineer with the council’s housing section, revealed that unless the Department of Housing reverses the funding cuts, council homes in the city could be left derelict or boarded up.

The upcoming 2024 budget, with a notable €15 million reduction in funding compared to the previous year, raises concerns about the fate of approximately 500 council homes awaiting refurbishment. Buckle emphasized the challenges posed by dwindling government funding, citing a current budget of €10 million for “voids” in 2024.

The construction sector’s capacity issues and soaring material costs have exacerbated the problem, making refurbishment work more expensive. Buckle disclosed that voids in 2023 cost an average of €45,000, a significant increase from the pre-2023 average of €32,000.

Changes in the Department of Housing funding system have further strained the council’s resources, with the funding per void dropping to €11,500, a fraction of the previous support. Buckle underscored the urgency of increased funding to avoid the unsettling prospect of boarded-up houses in 2024.

A spokesperson for the Department of Housing defended the national budget for voids and vacancies, stating that €31 million was allocated in Budget 2024. However, the challenges persist, and the looming crisis highlights the delicate balance between budget constraints, construction sector limitations, and the growing demand for affordable housing in Dublin. As the city grapples with these challenges, the fate of hundreds of vacant homes hangs in the balance, emphasizing the need for swift and effective solutions to address Dublin’s housing crisis.