Mayo County Council Vacant Homes Scheme / Grants Public Information Session

Date: 18-01-2024

Mayo County Council is hosting a public information meeting to raise awareness around vacant homes, including the grants and schemes that are available to property owners of vacant and derelict properties. This meeting is taking place on Wednesday 24th of January from 4.30 pm to 7 pm in the Civic Offices in Ballina, Co Mayo F26E5D7

One of the many functions of Mayo County Councils Housing section is to oversee the administration of the schemes that are available to property owners of vacant and derelict properties. In the Government Housing Strategy ‘Housing for All’ there is a specific section that deals with addressing vacancy and efficient use of existing properties. Part of this strategy provides various grants and schemes that support property owners bringing properties back into use for private and social housing.

As part of the above noted policy one of the most popular grants introduced in July 2022 is the Vacant Property Refurbishment Croi Conaithe Grant. Since the inception of the grant Mayo County Council Vacant Homes Office has received and processed 392 applications from property owners of vacant and derelict properties in urban and rural settings throughout the County.

Tom Gilligan, Director of Services in Mayo County Council said ‘The grants and schemes that our Vacant Homes Office administer have real potential to change the landscape of our towns and rural communities. The grants support property owners to bring back much needed vacant and derelict properties into residential use. The Vacant Property Refurbishment Grant is available to those wishing to either live in the property as their private principal residence or make the property available for rent’. In addition, we now have, the Mayo Vacant Home Matchmaker Scheme which is a free service and is bringing together owners of vacant homes and potential buyers. 

The aim of the public meeting is to provide an opportunity to members of the public to hear at first hand the range and scope of grants and schemes available. Deirdre Swords, Vacant Homes Officer for Mayo County Council said ‘Part of my job as Vacant Homes Officer is to ensure that as many people around the county are aware of the supports available to bring properties back into residential use. The options are varied and can suit people in all walks of life from those wishing to renovate their first home to those wishing to bring back a loved one’s home that has laid vacant for many years. The Vacant Homes Office wishes to build on the successes of 2023 which saw significant numbers successfully applying for the Vacant Property Refurbishment grant, the repair and leasing scheme and the buy and renew scheme’.

Members of the public are encouraged to attend to find out more about the various grants and schemes available to support property owners bring back vacant and derelict properties into residential use. More information about the various grants and schemes and the information meeting is available on our website www.mayo.ie or from our Vacant Homes Office vacanthomes@mayococo.ie