Minister Browne announces extra €265 million in funding for housing acquisitions
- Foilsithe: 4 Márta 2025
- An t-eolas is déanaí: 12 Aibreán 2025
Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage, James Browne today announced that the government has approved an additional €265 million capital funding in 2025 for the Second Hand Acquisitions Programme.
This increased funding will allow for a significant programme of acquisitions in 2025 for priority categories of need such as:
- Tenant in Situ Acquisitions
- older persons and persons with a disability
- exits from homeless services; and
- Buy and Renew acquisitions which tackle vacancy
The introduction of mandatory eligibility criteria for tenant in situ acquisitions for 2025 will ensure that the priority categories of need outlined above can benefit fairly from the second hand acquisitions programme and that the funding available will be targeted at those most in need.
Speaking today, Minister Browne emphasised:
“Homelessness is a top priority for me. It is important that we help those in emergency accommodation to exit to a permanent setting as soon as possible. It is even more preferable to help people to avoid entering homelessness in the first instance where we can. Housing acquisitions have proven to be effective in this regard where no other options exist for social housing supported tenants who are at risk of losing their home.
“With the funding announced today, we will be targeting priority needs such as families and children, older people, persons with a disability and where the opportunities exist turning vacant properties into viable homes.”
Local authorities will receive a capital funding allocation for second hand acquisitions and this will be communicated directly to local authorities by the department.
Notes
Housing Acquisitions Programme
Social Housing acquisitions refer to second hand properties acquired by local authorities and Approved Housing Bodies for use as social housing. Housing for All set initial targets to acquire 200 social homes each year from 2022 to 2026.
Tenant in Situ Acquisitions
Tenant in Situ Acquisitions were introduced by way of government decision in 2023. A further government decision extended the acquisitions into 2024. It was originally intended as a short term response to the reported uplift in sales by landlords of homes, which were within the HAP and RAS schemes, in order to prevent potential homelessness where other solutions could not be found for the affected tenants.
Local Authorities/AHBs will prioritise acquisitions for families with children, older persons or people with a disability who are at serious risk of homelessness where a ‘no fault’ valid Notice of Termination has been issued due the landlords intention to sell a property.