SF aim to tackle housing crisis by reforming derelict sites rules – Sorca Clarke TD
Sinn Féin have launched legislation aiming to tackle the housing crisis by addressing the failure to collect levies applied under the Derelict Sites Levy.
Sorca Clarke, Sinn Féin TD for Longford Westmeath, has urged the government to back the legislation to ensure it delivers change for people priced out of affordable housing.
The legislation was launched at Leinster House by party TD Thomas Gould.
Teachta Clarke said: “Right across this state, there are thousands of potential homes falling further and further into disrepair. Many of these are in Longford Westmeath and are being left idle and rotting in the middle of a housing crisis.
“The Derelict Sites Levy was introduced as one of a number of tools available to local authorities to tackle dereliction.
“This has failed and it is time for the minister, the government and local authorities to be held to account for that failure. Sinn Féin’s legislation would impose transparency and accountability across local and national government, where there are failures to collect the Derelict Sites Levy.
“It would create a requirement for a local authority who has collected less than 75pc of the Derelict Sites Levy to publish a report outlining the reason it was not collected, the reasons for the failure to collect the amount and the level of engagement they have undertaken with the property owners.
“It would include a requirement to outline any concerns the local authority has in relation to resourcing, staffing or other issues preventing them from collecting levies.
“The minister would then be required to publish a reply, addressing the issues raised.”
Teachta Clarke said that her party want to see a situation whereby local authorities are applying levies on all eligible properties and collecting those levies.
“Not only will this act as a deterrent and ultimately reduce levels of dereliction, but in the meantime, the additional funding will support local authorities to build houses and resource communities,” she said.
“We are talking about over €12 million in untapped potential revenue. When local authorities are struggling year-on-year to balance budgets, why should those hoarding potential homes walk away scot-free?
“Every derelict property in this state is an insult to those trapped in the housing crisis. Here in Longford Westmeath, far too many people who are losing hope of ever having their own homes are being forced to walk past empty rotting houses daily.
“It is so frustrating that in the middle of a housing crisis we are surrounded by homes that are falling apart – these homes should be repaired and made available for families who will cherish them. These walls should be full of laughter and memories not mold and mildew.
“Land inflation means that people are actually making a profit off dereliction. We need to increase the financial penalties and apply them across the board so that there is no financial incentive to dereliction.
“The minister has admitted that this is a problem but essentially shrugged his shoulders. The legislation to tackle dereliction exists, it’s time we started to enforce it.
“Sinn Féin in government would tackle the housing crisis and stand up for ordinary workers and families by delivering affordable homes. We have the policies and solutions to deliver the change that people need.”