Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 1 March 2022
379. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he is considering changes to the tenant purchase scheme which would allow very long-term tenants of local authority homes an opportunity of purchasing the home; the implications of the earnings requirement; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11635/22]
View answerThe Tenant Purchase Scheme is open to eligible tenants, including joint tenants, of local authority houses that are available for sale under the Scheme.
The Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2014 provides that, as the Minister, I may set a minimum income required to purchase under the scheme. The minimum income requirement has a dual purpose - it ensures the scheme is sustainable, and the tenant purchasing the house has the financial means to maintain and insure the property for the duration of the charged period.
The scheme was reviewed in 2021 in line with Programme for Government and Housing for All commitments. The Government approved a number of amendments on foot of the review and these came into effect on 1st February 2022.
The amendments include a reduction in the minimum reckonable income required from €15,000 to €12,500. This means older tenants, whose only income might be the contributory or non-contributory State pension, will be eligible to buy their homes if they have the financial means to do so. The time an applicant is required to be in receipt of social housing supports to be able to apply under the scheme has also been revised. This has been increased from one to ten years.
Further changes to the scheme are currently being examined as part of the work on the broader social housing reform agenda.
