I the undersigned demand that the Government finally start getting the 90,000 empty houses in Ireland into use as homes, NOW.

It is a crime that we have 9,000 people homeless in Ireland, over hundred people dying on our streets in homelessness, 70,000 people on housing waiting lists and rents and house prices crucifying young families.

The Government have sat on their hands and done little or nothing to get these 90,000 homes back into use. Many are derelict. Many are the source of vandalism, antisocial behaviour and drugs.  

Getting these homes back into use will revitalise towns, villages and rural communities, will put a roof over tens of thousands of families’ heads and will reduce the price of houses and rents.

Many houses are left vacant because speculators are waiting until the price rises before they flip them. Many others are vacant because the owners can’t afford to repair them.

We are calling on the government to tax the vacant homes owned by speculators to motivate them to bring empty houses into use and we also need to provide grants to young families to get these homes back into a habitable condition. Local Authorities must also have the power and the money to CPO houses that are the cause of antisocial behaviour, drug use and violence.