Should empty houses be given to those in need?

[LimkMike]

http://blogs.myhome.ie/2010/05/21/empty-houses-should-they-be-given-to-those-in-need/?cmpid=blog2105

Empty houses: Should they be given to those in need?

http://myhomeie.files.wordpress.com/2010/05/emptyhouses.jpg?w=320&h=228

According to the annual report released by Homeless agency Focus Ireland this week, there are currently 5,000 people without accommodation in Ireland with a further 100,000 households waiting for local authority housing.

Following the publication of their report the charity has called on the Government to use empty houses left over from the boom to provide accommodation to those most in need. They asked how “thousands of homes were lying empty in every county when more people than ever before were living in inadequate, overcrowded, unsuitable and insecure shelter“.

Their appeal comes not long after the Respond Housing Unit urged NAMA to consider using empty houses for those in need and to only consider knocking down empty and unfinished houses as a last resort, “Waiting lists for local authority accommodation are rising and NAMA should now deliver on the promised social dividend… It could be argued that the only real housing market at the moment is the social housing market as private demand has been virtually wiped out,” said Aoife Walsh, spokesperson for the Respond Housing Unit.

It is now estimated there are between to 345,000 and 352,000 vacant houses in Ireland.

Have your say: Empty Houses: Should they be given to those in need?

* Should the Government do more to tackle the issue of homelessness and provide homes for those who need them most?
* Should local authorities lease homes available in their areas to cater for housing needs?

[Commotion]

I think they should be used to house people who need homes.

In fact I wouldn't be against people squatting empty homes. I live in Amsterdam where many perfectly good buildings have been empty for years, and as a result many get squatted.

The builldings squatted by artists generally tend to be really interesting artistic venues (usually with a bar and a vegan restaurant - bleurgh - and there are exhibitions and shows and underground club nights etc. There was a Queer Festival in 1 of the squathouses recently. It was called Queeristan and they had film showings, alternative queer discussion groups etc.

Granted some squatters just need to get a job, shower and a life but some of them have very interesting ideas and can express them when they illegally take up residence in an abandoned school or whatever.

The local government usually supports the squat if it thinks the squathouse adds something of cultural value to the city.

The empty shops on Cruises Street should be squatted and turned into a gay village I think. :)