Voluntary housing agencies should consider the new tenant purchase scheme – Deering

Fine Gael Carlow/ Kilkenny TD, Pat Deering, has said the new tenant purchase scheme which is soon to come on stream, will be good for communities and that voluntary housing agencies should consider getting involved. Deputy Deering was speaking after the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government, Deputy Alan Kelly, confirmed to him that the new scheme will be introduced in the second quarter of 2015.

“The Minister confirmed to me that the new tenant purchase scheme will operate along the lines of the incremental purchase model currently operating for local authority apartments and certain new local authority houses. This will involve discounts for purchasers linked to household income. This is an important part of the Government’s Social Housing Strategy 2020.

“Full details of the scheme will be set out by the Minister soon and I see as very positive the Minister’s commitment to relate the purchase price of the house to its market value, with replacement costs also being taken into account.

“When questioning the Minister on this matter in the Dáil I asked if it would be possible to extend the scheme to tenants in voluntary housing schemes

“The Minister confirmed to me that Section 45 of the Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2009 does provide for the sale by housing authorities and approved housing bodies (AHBs) of designated new houses to eligible households, subject to specified terms and conditions. I encourage these AHBs to consider this option for the future. Any such moves would have to take place in consultation with them.

“Tenant purchase schemes are good for communities, allowing people to establish strong roots in their local area. It means security for the participants in the scheme and can also result in stability and continuity in communities where people settle in their homes and often pass them down through the generations.”