Home vacancy rate in Clare above national average, new report finds
IN SPITE of the housing crisis, a new survey has revealed Clare is above the national average when it comes to vacant residential units.
Data revealed by the Geodirectory Hub shows that 5.8% of homes in Banner County were considered vacant, higher than the national average of 4%.
According to the report, a total of 394 living spaces were being built as of December last, while 424 new residential address points at locations across Clare were added to the nationwide database over the last 12 months.
County Clare also has a high number of properties which are considered to be derelict - accounting for 5.1% of all derelict properties across the country.
Commenting on the findings of the latest GeoDirectory Residential Buildings Report, Dara Keogh, its chief executive said: "The data shows that construction activity and supply of housing stock increased significantly in 2022, but it is still lagging well behind the current rate of demand. The number of residential buildings under construction and additions to the housing stock over the past twelve months would indicate that the sector has moved past the disruption brought about by Covid-19."
Annette Hughes, director of EY Economic Advisory Services added: "At a national level, the residential vacancy rate of 4% is the lowest recorded by GeoDirectory to date. However, this figure highlights a national imbalance of low vacancy rates and high demand in Dublin and surrounding counties, contrasted by considerably higher vacancy rates in the west of the country."