Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 13 June 2023
761. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if a series of matters (details supplied) will be clarified in relation to the tenant in situ purchase scheme in cases in which a local authority is interested in purchasing a house that is for sale with tenants on social housing supports; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28105/23]
View answerUnder Housing for All, the Government will deliver 47,600 new build social homes and 3,500 social homes through long-term leasing in the period 2022-2026. Our clear focus is to increase the stock of social housing through new build projects delivered by local authorities and Approved Housing Bodies (AHBs).
For 2023, the Government has agreed that there will be increased provision for social housing acquisitions and my Department will fund local authorities to acquire at least 1,500 social homes. The additional acquisitions will be focused on properties where a tenant in receipt of social housing supports has received a Notice of Termination due to the landlord’s intention to sell the property. My Department issued a circular letter to all local authorities in March, setting out details of these arrangements and each local authority was provided with a provisional target for social housing acquisitions in 2023. Feedback from the local authorities indicates that these targets may be exceeded in many areas, due to the significant level of activity under way.
Local authorities have delegated sanction to deliver the 1,300 additional acquisitions, subject to those acquisitions being within Acquisition Cost Guidelines issued by my Department. Revised Cost Guidelines were issued to local authorities in April this year.
My Department will consider acquisitions proposed by local authorities that exceed the cost guidelines, on a case-by-case basis. In proceeding with an acquisition, a local authority will obtain a valuation to ensure that the acquisition represents value for money. There is no basis or provision for the local authority to consider an appeal of a valuation from the vendor of a property.
