Council makes progress on vacant homes in Mayo village
Mayo County Council has received funding to construct 16 social housing units at Churchfield Lawns, Knock.
This development follows previous confirmation that the council was seeking to take over 35 units at the site after the Approved Housing Body (AHB), which was previously responsible for the estate, became unable to progress the project.
With 30 units at Churchfield Park having remained vacant for several years, the approval of this first phase marks an important step toward bringing much-needed homes back into use.
At present, the council has permission to take over 16 units as part of the first phase, with plans underway for a second phase to bring the remaining vacant units under council control.
The 16 homes will include six one-bedroom and ten two-bedroom units.
Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht, Dara Calleary, confirmed the news today.
He acknowledged the work of Cllr John Caulfield and Mayo County Council for their work in securing the investment for Knock.
"The work of providing much-needed additional social and affordable housing, as well as supporting the construction of private development across the county, continues, and I look forward to further positive announcements in this regard in the weeks and months ahead," he said.
During the September meeting of the Claremorris and Swinford Municipal District, councillors expressed frustration that so many units remained vacant amid a housing crisis, while residents experience homelessness, and many people are struggling to find housing.
Director of Services for Housing, Tom Gilligan, told the meeting that the council had stepped in and that work was already underway behind the scenes to resolve the issue and bring the units back into use.
The news was welcomed by the meeting. Cllr Caulfield noted that the units are structurally sound but need updating, and he called for urgency in progressing the project.
Following calls for urgent action, the development marks a significant step forward, with work now underway on the first phase and plans already in motion for a second phase to bring the remaining units back into use.
This article has been funded by the Local Democracy Reporting Scheme.