‘Void’ properties halved in city but lack of private data ‘unacceptable’

Social Housing Minister Nelson McCausland revealed that the number of ‘void’ properties in the Waterloo Place division decreased from 60 to 31; and in the Waterside, from 88 to 29. In the Collon Terrace division the number of void properties was up from 12 to 16.

Overall the city posted a reduction from 160 to 76.

Despite this the Minister said he was ‘disappointed’ NIHE was not keeping a record of the number of private properties brought back into use.

Mr McCausland said: “The Housing Executive is responsible for the implementation of its 2007 Empty Homes Strategy. It has informed me that it does not hold information on the number of private properties brought back into use as a result of its strategy.

“I find this disappointing and unacceptable.”

The Minister added: “I am committed to bringing empty homes back into use and I have tasked the Housing Executive and my officials with developing an appropriately resourced Northern Ireland-wide empty homes strategy and action plan which I expect to see finalised by March 31, 2013.

“One of the aims of the Empty Homes Strategy and action plan will be the identification and location of empty homes. To this end my officials are working with colleagues in the Department of Finance & Personnel to ascertain the number of vacant residential properties in each Council area.”