Fianna Fáil TD for Cavan-Monaghan & North Meath, Niamh Smyth, has today welcomed confirmation from her party colleague and Minister for Housing, Darragh O'Brien, that changes to the Tenant Purchase scheme will now enable pensioners to purchase their own home.
These changes will be effective from the 1st of February.
Welcoming the news Deputy Smyth said, "The Programme for Government commits to maintaining the right of social housing tenants to purchase their own home. Fianna Fáil has placed home ownership at the heart of Housing for All, our long-term housing policy to 2030. These changes to the Tenant Purchase scheme will help to give effect to this commitment and form part of a series of reforms of the social housing system that are being progressed under the Government’s Housing for All plan.
"I understand that the principal change will be to reduce the level of income tenants will require to be eligible – this will reduce from €15,000 to €12,500. It will be introduced in the short-term by regulations that will take effect by February 1st 2022 and will ensure pensioners can now qualify to purchase their home under the scheme. It's important to note that the change will only apply to pensions – all other social welfare payments will only be deemed a second source of income under the scheme and, as such, will not be reckonable for income eligibility purposes.
"Fianna Fáil in Government are focused on delivering housing for all. Homeownership and affordability are at the heart of the plan and I would like to sincerely thank Minister Darragh O'Brien for his work in this area and the progress achieved to date.
