To date, nearly 1,000 previously disused houses have been converted and transformed under the initiative.
To date, nearly 1,000 previously disused houses have been converted and transformed under the initiative.(file photo)(Image: Getty)
More derelict and vacant properties are set to be turned into social housing as part of an expansion to the Buy and Renew Scheme, the Government has announced.
To date, nearly 1,000 previously disused houses have been converted and transformed under the initiative.
The expansion of the scheme, announced today, will ensure that more long‑term vacant and derelict properties across the country are transformed into high‑quality social homes.
The new approach will allow building contractors, for the first time, to directly acquire and refurbish vacant and derelict properties.
The Government says this provides “a new delivery channel for bringing disused buildings back into productive use.”
Before works begin, contractors must enter into an agreement with a local authority or an Approved Housing Body (AHB) to purchase the homes for social housing when completed.
Previously, the scheme was only open to local authorities and AHBs to directly deliver social housing, and today’s change to the scheme will allow greater scope for restoring more properties.
To date, over 960 previously disused homes have already been brought back into use through the scheme.
With the enhancements now being introduced, the pace of renewal is set to accelerate, helping to reduce dereliction and increase the supply of social homes nationwide.
James Browne TD, Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage speaking to media at Government Buildings.(Image: PIC: Conor Ó Mearáin / Collins Photo Agency)
Importantly, the eligibility criteria for the scheme is also being updated so that properties must now be both vacant and derelict, ensuring that the scheme is targeted at the most challenging buildings—those which are less likely to be taken on by private owners through other supports such as the Vacant Property Refurbishment Grant.
Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage, James Browne said: “I’ve repeatedly said that allowing buildings to lie idle when homes are needed is not acceptable. Bringing long term derelict buildings back into productive use is one of the most effective ways of increasing supply as well as revitalising communities in our towns and cities.
“Expanding and building on the success of the of the Buy and Renew Scheme will allow us to tackle some of the most challenging properties, increase the supply of high‑quality social homes, and support local builders and tradespeople in the process.
“This approach will help ensure that no building with potential is left idle and that more families can access secure, sustainable homes. Additionally, by tackling the scourge of dereliction, this scheme helps to regenerate town centres.”
The Buy and Renew Scheme, which was introduced in 2016, enables local authorities and AHBs to purchase or acquire long‑term vacant or derelict properties, refurbish them to required standards, and make them available as social housing.
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