Fianna Fáil Councillor Michael Cahill has called for the changes to the Tenants Purchase Scheme to be totally redrawn.
The changes, announced by the Department of Housing and Kerry County Council recently, need to be altered if this scheme is to be useful for tenants and successful for all – he suggested.
“The change to allow people in receipt of pension payments to be eligible, is a very positive step and one that I have been pressing for for some time now, as is the reduction in minimum income requirements from €15,000 per annum to €12,500,” said Councillor Cahill.
An Absolutely Crazy Rule
“But the increase in the period of time tenants will be required to be in receipt of social housing support, to be considered eligible under the scheme, has been increased from one to 10 years and this will apply to both parties in a joint tenancy.
That is absolutely crazy and will rule out a very large number of tenants from purchasing their own home “said the Rossbeigh based Councillor.
“The purpose of the scheme is to encourage tenants to purchase, not to rule them out of doing so. This requirement must be reviewed immediately to ensure the scheme does not implode” he said.
A Matter of Equality
“I am also urging that disabled tenants, tenants in one bedroom houses and tenants in Part 5 housing be allowed enter the Tenants Purchase Scheme as a matter of equality” he continued.
“The increase in the length of time that one has to be in receipt of Social Housing Support so as to qualify for the scheme is discriminatory as is not allowing disabled tenants, tenants in one bedroom houses and those in Part 5 housing from entering the Scheme.
“I have called for an urgent deputation to meet with the minister and his officials at the earliest possible date so that these important issues may be addressed,” Councillor Cahill stressed.
You can read an update on the scheme with a click on the link here: https://www.gov.ie/en/service/12558-incremental-tenant-purchase-scheme-for-existing-local-authority-houses/#how-to-qualify
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