32 Dublin City Council Social Housing Properties Unused Since 2017, Many Face Demolition
Over 30 Dublin City Council properties bought for social housing since 2017 are unused, with 20+ facing demolition due to severe dilapidation. The council lacks refurbishment resources and plans to sell some, starting with seven Chapelizod cottages. This highlights challenges in the Buy and Renew Scheme, with some properties deemed unfit for purchase.
More than 30 vacant and derelict properties, acquired by Dublin City Council for social housing since 2017, remain unused, with some potentially beyond viable refurbishment due to extreme dilapidation. At least 20 of these, including houses on Connaught Street and Ferguson Road, are being considered for demolition as they require significant costly work.
The council's housing division will present assessments on these 32 houses to city councillors, seeking permission to sell some due to a lack of refurbishment resources. These properties are located across various city and suburban areas, including Finglas, Phibsborough, Drumcondra, Chapelizod, North Wall, Charleville Mall, Mountjoy Square, Walkinstown, Harold’s Cross, Grand Canal Dock, and Creighton Street.
Acquired under the government's Buy and Renew Scheme, which targets long-term vacant properties for social housing, the council has bought 112 properties since 2017, refurbishing 77. However, 32 remain vacant, with some deteriorated to the point of collapse. Senior council engineer Robert Buckle noted some properties were bought «regardless of their condition» and «really shouldn’t have [been] bought at all.»
Assessments are complete for all 32 homes, demonstrating the scale of work needed. The council plans to sell some properties back to the private market, starting with seven derelict Mulberry Cottages in Chapelizod, bought in 2022. If this sale is successful, councillors will consider selling more of the houses.