Sir, – Eamon Ryan suggests progress is possible with more funding for the LDA (“Innovative solution to housing crisis has been under our noses all this time”, Opinion, November 3rd).
However, he correctly reminds us that the backlog is the problem. Even if we manage 40,000 homes a year, it leaves the backlog of 250,000 homes actually growing rather than reducing.
Recent letters in The Irish Times have highlighted the profound human cost of Ireland’s housing crisis. The damage extends far beyond those experiencing homelessness. It affects young adults unable to leave their parents’ homes or living in overcrowded accommodation, and many who would like to return to Ireland but simply cannot find somewhere affordable to live.
One of the most overlooked opportunities, not only under our noses but staring us in the face, lies in the vacant and underused buildings that already exist in our towns and cities. Above shops and along main streets are thousands of spaces that could be brought back into residential use. Unlike new developments, these buildings are already there. They require no major new infrastructure – or associated years-long planning journey. They can become homes much faster.
RM Block
As chair of the Vacant to Vibrant Building Alliance, a coalition of business, civic and built-environment leaders, I work with organisations committed to identifying practical, evidence-based solutions that make the reuse of existing buildings affordable, viable and accessible. Our objective is simple: remove the barriers preventing these buildings from becoming homes.
The opportunity is significant, but it will not happen without targeted, co-ordinated intervention. Among the measures we are proposing are:
- Enhanced and proportionate grant supports where multiple residential units are created through reuse projects, with access extended to SMEs as well as individual property owners.
- Funding for five regional reuse leads to support and co-ordinate local authority action, ensuring that property owners can navigate the process more effectively.
- A targeted, time-limited tax incentive allowing refurbishment costs to be offset against income, creating a strong “use it or lose it” signal for underused properties.
- The publication of dedicated technical guidance documents providing practical solutions for converting existing buildings, particularly homes above shops.
None of these measures is revolutionary. What is required is co-ordination, urgency and political determination. Taken together, they could unlock the delivery of more than 100,000 homes in locations already served by streets, services, public transport and support local businesses.
Every day we delay, the housing deficit deepens and our young leave or postpone life decisions like family or marriage. While new housing delivery remains essential, we must also recognise the inestimable value of the buildings already standing in plain sight. Reusing them is the fastest, most sustainable and most cost-effective way to increase housing supply.
We have made progress in recognising the opportunity. Now we need the policies to match the ambition. The time for action is not next year, or after the next review. It was yesterday. – Yours, etc,
PHILIP LEE,
Glenageary,
Dublin.
