Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage James Browne TD has announced an allocation of €1,129,140 for Louth to prepare local authority homes for reletting in 2026. The funding represents an increase of 28.3% compared to last year.
The allocation forms part of a €40 million national fund for local authorities in 2026 which is expected to bring approximately 2,200 homes back into active use across the country.
The investment is aimed at tackling vacancy and dereliction by ensuring that empty social homes are returned to use more quickly.
The Minister also announced a new model for the Voids Programme which will link future funding allocations to the performance of local authorities. The new approach will focus on reducing vacancy levels and improving turnaround times when preparing homes for new tenants.
By 2027, a vacancy rate target of 2% and a maximum average turnaround time of 18 weeks will be introduced. Further reductions are planned for 2028 with a target of 15 weeks and for 2029 with a target of 12 weeks. Local authorities that meet these targets will be eligible to receive full funding under the revised model.
Announcing the funding and the changes to the programme, Minister Browne said:
This new model for the Voids Programme is ultimately about delivering social homes to families and individuals more quickly, both nationally and in Louth.
Too many social homes have remained vacant for too long, particularly when we are in a housing crisis. The new vacancy and turnaround time targets will mean that properties spend less time empty and more time providing security and stability for people who need them most.
By linking funding to turnaround performance, we are ensuring that every local authority is supported and incentivised to return homes to use as swiftly as possible.
Backed by a €40 million allocation for 2026, this approach will help prepare around 2,200 homes for
reletting. That investment will make a tangible difference to people and their families across the country, ensuring that properties are not left idle but are brought back into use with speed. Ultimately, this is about making better use of what we already have and delivering homes to people sooner.
In recent years local authorities have increasingly moved towards a planned maintenance model. This approach allows repairs to be carried out more quickly, reduces downtime and supports faster re letting of social homes.
As a result properties remain in continuous use and occupancy levels are more stable and consistent.
Over time the amount and share of funding allocated to planned maintenance will increase, while voids funding will reduce as local authorities focus more on preventative maintenance.
Since the Voids Programme began in 2014 a total of €385 million has been spent to return 27,860 homes back into active use.
