Government expands buy and renew scheme to include building contractors

A home in Limerick restored under the buy and renew scheme. File picture 

The Department of Housing has announced an expansion to the buy and renew scheme which will allow building contractors to directly acquire and refurbish vacant and derelict properties for social housing.

Previously the scheme was only open to local authorities and approved housing bodies. Under a new expanded approach, building contractors will be included, potentially providing a new delivery channel for bringing disused buildings back into use.

Before works begin, contractors must enter into an agreement with a local authority or an approved housing body to purchase the homes for social housing when complete.

The scheme was originally introduced in 2016 to fund local authorities and approved housing bodies to purchase and renew housing units in need of remediation, and make them available for social housing use.

The expansion announced today maintains this core purpose while adding a contractorled pathway to increase the volume of homes delivered.

The eligibility criteria for the scheme is also being updated so that properties must now be both vacant and derelict, ensuring the scheme is targeted at the most challenging buildings which are less likely to be taken on by private owners through other supports such as the vacant property refurbishment grant.

In addition, the department expects the forthcoming Derelict Property Tax, which is set to be introduced in 2027, will help generate a strong pipeline of suitable properties for renewal.

Housing minister James Browne said 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 buy and renew scheme will allow us to tackle some of the most challenging properties, increase the supply of highquality social homes, and support local builders and tradespeople in the process.”

The Department of Housing said to-date there have been 960 previously disused homes brought back into use through the scheme.