Law to allow social housing tenants buy out homes

SOCIAL housing tenants will be able to buy out their homes from local councils under laws aimed at increasing home ownership among low-income families.

The proposed legislation, announced yesterday, will also increase the powers of local authorities to evict tenants in social housing estates or flat complexes, if they are involved in anti-social behaviour.

The Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2008 will be debated in the Dáil in September and replaces existing laws on social and affordable housing which have been in place for more than 40 years.