Government has been urged to target the renovation of ‘above the shop homes’ to help with the housing crisis.
Hardware Association Ireland (HAI), the national trade association representing the hardware, building materials, DIY, homewares, and garden sectors, has announced its plan to tackle Ireland’s housing crisis.
The proposal addresses a wide range of issues, from increasing housing supply to rejuvenating empty homes and promoting sustainable building practices.
The key proposals put forward by the HAI are:
Housing targets: Ensure housing targets meet the needs of Ireland’s growing population, addressing a backlog in housing demand of over 95,000 units.
Empty Homes and “Above the shop” homes need to be in housing targets, HAI said.
Rejuvenating empty homes: Returning tens of thousands of vacant homes to active use could be facilitated with grants, tax incentives, and dedicated roles within local authorities, the plan states.
“Above the Shop” Homes: The HAI has urged Government to convert vacant upper-floor commercial properties into residential units with targeted incentives and regulatory reforms.
Other key targets in the plan include VAT reductions on newly-built homes for first-time buyers, and extended support schemes for buyers.
“Housing is the most acute infrastructural challenge facing us,” said Martin Markey, chief executive of HAI. “It impacts all aspects of our lives and businesses. Ireland needs a fairer deal for first-time buyers, more homes, increased home ownership, greater population density in our towns and cities, reduced vacancy and dereliction, and significant reductions in carbon emissions. We must reframe our thinking and optimise supply from existing properties.”