The Vacant Property Refurbishment Grant has been expanded to include cities and remote rural areas, with all areas of the country now within scope of the scheme.
The expanded Croí Cónaithe Vacant Property Refurbishment Grant now includes eligible vacant properties in both cities and more remote rural areas (in addition to those in towns and villages, which have been eligible since July 2022).
The expansion of the scheme will help bring vacant and derelict properties back into residential use and ensure the existing housing stock is used to the fullest extent possible. It will also help limit emissions from residential construction and add vibrancy to Ireland’s cities and rural areas.
Under the Croí Cónaithe Vacant Property Refurbishment Grant €30,000 is available to homebuyers to refurbish a home which they will live in. Where a property is derelict, a maximum top-up grant amount of up to €20,000 will be available, bringing the total grant available for a derelict property up to a maximum of €50,000. The grants can also be combined with the SEAI Better Energy Home Scheme that covers works of up to €26,750.
The grant, provided through the Croí Cónaithe (Towns) Fund, is a key action under the Government’s Housing for All plan, and supports the aims of the ‘Our Rural Future’ policy. Over 420 applications have been made since it was initially launched on 14 July 2022.
Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage, Darragh O’Brien TD, said: “The expanded grant provides a fantastic opportunity for more people from every part of the country to refurbish vacant properties with the aim of converting them into their homes, enabling them to live in cities, towns, villages and rural areas. The scheme helps address vacancy through sustainable reuse of buildings, it helps revitalise our communities and, most importantly, it helps more people to own their own home.”
There are now 29 full-time vacant homes officers across the country who are focused on bringing vacant stock back into productive use.
The updated application form, eligibility criteria and associated FAQs provide additional information to people who would like to apply for the grant. Further information is available from the Vacant Homes Officer in each local authority.
