SDLP Foyleside Councillor Lilian Seenoi-Barr
Currently, approximately 22,000 homes are empty across the North of Ireland, of which 1,526 are within the Derry City and Strabane District Council area.
Speaking after the motion she proposed at council received unanimous support, Cllr. Barr said:
“The fact that more than 1,500 homes lie empty in our council area in the midst of a housing crisis is just unforgiveable.
“Every day, I hear from more and more constituents who are struggling to meet the costs of their rent and owning a home is now a distant dream for many.
“Meanwhile, Derry and Strabane has the highest number of people presenting as homeless among any local government district.
“It’s plain as day to anyone looking at this problem that we need to revisit our approach to housing, not just here in Derry but across the rest of the North.
“The fact that in 2023, this crisis is going on unabated while we lack a functioning Empty Homes Strategy and owners are not even required to provide notice of changes to properties, is absurd.
“We need to see legislation updated and fully implemented to ensure that properties are not allowed to lie vacant unnecessarily.
“I am pleased that council unanimously backed my call to update the Empty Homes Strategy and take a series of other measures, including engaging with the Housing Executive to discuss the effective acquisition and conversion of vacant properties, alongside writing to the Permanent Secretary of the Department of Finance.
“We cannot allow this situation to continue indefinitely and I look forward to continuing to press the relevant departments and agencies on this issue until we get resolutions.”
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