3 days ago
- Business
- Irish Independent
‘Drastic reduction' in funding for housing scheme will have ‘real and painful consequences' for tenants in Wexford
Now, following WCC's confirmation that just 20 homes will be purchased under the scheme this year – compared to 35 in 2024 - local Sinn Féin councillor Tom Forde has accused Minister Browne of directly impacting those at risk of homelessness.
'As a public representative for the people of Wexford, I want to express my deep disappointment at the significant reduction in the capacity of WCC to acquire homes under the Tenant-In-Situ scheme in 2025,' said Cllr Forde. 'Under new directives from the Department of Housing, the council is now expected to acquire a possible 20 units in 2025, with some of those acquisitions coming from 2024 applications.
"This drastic reduction—potentially more than 50 per cent — is a direct result of diminished funding allocated by the Minister for Housing, James Browne. WCC availed of just over €8m for this scheme in 2024, with funding reduced to just over €6m for 2025. The minister is clearly moving in the wrong direction.'
Under the changes to the scheme local authorities and approved housing bodies have been requested to prioritise buying houses for families with children, older people, or people with disabilities. Furthermore, WCC can only enact a purchase in cases where a landlord has issued a no-fault eviction notice with the intent to sell the property.
Previously, councils were permitted to buy any property where a tenant was facing eviction due to a landlord selling the property, provided they were in receipt of housing supports like Housing Assistance Payment (HAP) or Rental Accommodation Scheme (RAS).
'This decision will have real and painful consequences for people in our community,' continued Cllr Forde. 'The Tenant-In-Situ scheme has been one of the few effective tools to prevent homelessness and protect renters caught in an increasingly hostile housing market. Reducing its scope at a time when no fault eviction rates remain high is both unacceptable and unjust.
'WCC has worked hard to make this scheme a success, but we cannot do it without the necessary support from central government. The reduction in funding severely hampers our ability to intervene and offer housing security to families and individuals who need it most. I am calling on the Minister for Housing to immediately review this short-sighted decision and restore full funding for the Tenant-In-Situ (TIS) scheme in Wexford and across the country.
"We must not turn our backs on those at risk of homelessness. Everyone deserves a secure place to call home.'
Confirming that WCC will 'acquire possibly 20 properties' through the scheme in 2025, a spokesperson for the council said, 'We will continue to accept any applications for TIS from eligible applicants who are in receipt of a valid notice to quit (NTQ), however, we are yet to receive confirmation from the department on whether the scheme will continue or if funding will be available in 2026.'
Funded by the Local Democracy Reporting Scheme.
