Derry Daily
  • News
  • Entertainment
  • Sport
  • Features
  • Courts
  • Business
  • Health
  • Politics
  • Jobs
Wednesday 22°CThursday 22°C

Derry Daily Derry Daily Derry Daily

  • News
  • Entertainment
  • Sport
  • Features
  • Courts
  • Business
  • Health
  • Politics
  • Jobs
Derry CityHousingNewsPolitics

Shameful: Over 20,000 homes lie empty across North

written by cassoscoop November 14, 2021
ShareTweet

SDLP Foyle MLA and Housing spokesperson Mark H Durkan

THE SDLP’s Social Justice and Housiong spokesperson Mark Durkan has branded as “shameful” that over 20,000 homes are still lying empty across the North of Ireland.

In 2016, it was revealed there were 20,629 houses registered as being empty in the North.

These figures emerged midway through the term of a government strategy aimed at tackling the problem.

The NI Empty Homes Strategy and Action Plan 2013-2018 set out a range of proposals for bringing empty properties throughout the North back into use.

However, new figures would suggest that the strategy has done little to address the problem.

The figures released last week by the Department of Finance show there are currently 20,068 houses registered as being empty in Northern Ireland.

However, the department has said the actual figure could be higher because there is no incentive for owners to register their properties as empty.

The current figures for the number of empty houses in the North of Ireland, and those released in 2016, were made public following questions at the Stormont Assembly by the SDLP’s housing spokesperson Mark Durkan.

He said the latest figures showed that much more work was needed to tackle the problem of vacant properties.

“It is shameful and scandalous that more has not been done to tackle this problem,” said the Foyle MLA.

“The new figures are shocking enough but it appears the number of empty houses could be even higher.

“It would certainly seem that the strategy launched in 2013 did not do much to reduce the number of empty properties.

“We have so many people on the homeless list, many of them in dire need of a home.

“We need to get as many of these properties back into use as soon as possible.

“The housing minister (Deirdre Hargey) needs to look at this as a matter of urgency.”

The Department of Finance said that following the introduction of the Rating of Empty Homes legislation in October 2011, the rate liability for vacant domestic properties has been assessed at 100pc.

Said a spokesperson: “There is currently no requirement for ratepayers to inform Land & Property Services that their property is vacant, nor is there any financial advantage to doing so.

“As such, current information on the number of empty domestic properties may not be current or complete.”

Shameful: Over 20,000 homes lie empty across North was last modified: November 14th, 2021 by cassoscoop

Tags:
000 homes lie empty across NorthDerry CityFOYLE MLAHousing Minister Deirdre HargeyHOUSING SPOKESPERSONMark H DurkanNI Empty Homes StrategySDLPShameful: Over 20STORMONT ASSEMBLY
ShareTweet
cassoscoop

LEAVE A COMMENT

You may also like

New baby monitor units arrive at Altnagelvin...

15 hours ago

Build a future in construction on fully...

16 hours ago

Durkan: Executive must act now or more...

18 hours ago

Police appeal over theft of Mercedes van

22 hours ago

Man released over stabbing incident in Derry

22 hours ago

TV series to examine Katie Simpson’s death...

22 hours ago

Global talent descends on Derry for the...

22 hours ago

End to programme developed to tackle skills...

23 hours ago

Braidwater Group welcomes £11m funding to unlock...

2 days ago

Portstewart Strand voted best beach in the...

2 days ago

Keep in touch

Facebook Twitter Email

Features

  • Sun, sea, spectacular views, historical charm and fabulous food. Tunisia of course

    April 5, 2024
  • Magical trip to see Santa from Belfast

    December 20, 2023
  • DD Travel Feature: Cork’s amazing The Montenotte Hotel

    April 18, 2023
  • Derry cancer survivor Noeleen McMorris reveals importance of awareness

    July 25, 2022
  • Competition! Win tickets to Northern Ireland v England Women’s Euro 2022 match

    June 17, 2022

Courts

  • Man charged to court over Derry drugs seizure

    July 6, 2025
  • Drink-driver charged to court over Derry collision

    July 5, 2025
  • Derry priest faces seven more child sex charges

    July 4, 2025
  • Man charged with possessing indecent images of children

    July 4, 2025
  • Two men in court after £1.2m cannabis find near border

    July 3, 2025

Donegal Daily

    Read More

    • News
    • Sport
    • Courts
    • Jobs
    • Features
    • Business
    • Politics

    Information

    • Contact Us
    • About
    • Advertise WIth Us
    • Privacy Policy
    • Disclaimer
    • Terms & Conditions
    Derry Daily

    © 2025 Derry Daily. All rights reserved.


    Back To Top

    We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. If you continue to use this site we will assume that you are happy with it.OkPrivacy policy