There are almost 7,000 empty homes in Cavan and Monaghan. There are 4,023 empty homes in Cavan and in Monaghan, the number is 2,793. The figures come from research commissioned by campaign group, Uplift, and taken from Department of Housing statistics and the results of the 2022 census
However, Uplift spokesperson, Leigh Brosnan, says this does not account for the "hidden homeless" which includes various groups like young people who cannot afford to move out of their parents' house, young disabled people who live in nursing homes but need to live independently or survivors of domestic abuse who, likewise, need their own home.
Before the local elections Uplift wrote to 11 political candidates in Cavan and nine in Monaghan to ask them to sign a pledge to show constituents they will prioritise turning empty houses into homes if elected. Two candidates from Cavan and none from Monaghan signed the pledge. Leigh Brosnan from Uplift says county councils can do "much more" to turn empty houses in to homes. She maintains empty homes is a "political choice".
"So, to the newly-elected candidates we would say: 'lead with values and lead with practical solutions' because that's what the voters of Ireland want and we know empty homes are a political choice," Leigh told Northern Sound, "We know there's more than enough to go around and that's what people want to see in their local councils: are people acting from a place of responsibility and accountability and trying to make more effective the policies that are the there already to provide safe homes for everybody regardless of who they are or where they come from."
