Call for vacant HSE and Church owned buildings in Leitrim to be brought into use for housing

A local election candidate has called for vacant HSE and Church owned buildings in County Leitrim to be brought into use for housing.

Three letters have been sent to the HSE and church representatives regarding their ownership of vacant and derelict properties in County Leitrim.

Last week, as part of her ongoing campaign against vacancy and dereliction, Labour’s local election candidate for North Leitrim, Bernie Linnane, sent three letters which called for vacant and derelict buildings currently owned by the HSE or the churches to be handed over to Leitrim County Council or an approved housing body, without charge and without delay.

Ms Linnane wrote to Bernard Gloster, CEO of the HSE, regarding HSE-owned buildings in Manorhamilton which have been lying vacant for years, sliding into dereliction at the taxpayer’s expense.

In her letter, Ms Linnane outlined her belief that it is unacceptable for state bodies to be in possession of houses or other buildings which they are leaving empty at a time of record homelessness.

In a similar letter, Ms Linnane addressed the Roman Catholic Bishop of Kilmore, Rev. Martin Hayes, about unused and vacant buildings owned by the Church.

Another letter was sent to Rev. Samuel Ferran Glenfield, Church of Ireland Bishop of Kilmore, Elphin and Ardagh.

Ms Linnane said, “Both of these letters expressed the view that it is shameful for Christian churches to be holding onto empty properties while people are in dire need of places to live.

“In this constituency alone there are unused schools, churches, presbyteries and community centres,” said Ms Linnane.

Ms Linnane is also issuing a call to constituents in the Manorhamilton local electoral area, in the wider Sligo-Leitrim constituency, and to people nationwide to add your voice to the campaign for an end to institutionally sponsored vacancy and dereliction by contacting the CEO of the HSE, and local Bishops.

She said, “Action is needed now.

“People must have homes.

“Nothing less is acceptable,” concluded Ms Linnane.

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