Tenant-in-situ scheme concerns 'bubbling along for several weeks'

In some cases, funding allocated for 2025 tenant-in-situ scheme has been exhausted through purchases earmarked to be made in 2024 — including in Cork City Council. Picture: iStock

Fianna Fáil TDs have privately expressed concerns about the lack of funding allocated to the tenant-in-situ scheme with councils running out of money for the key homelessness initiative.

At a meeting of the Fianna Fáil parliamentary party, multiple TDs raised concern about the operation of the scheme. Several councils have shut it down due to a lack of funds.

The tenant-in-situ scheme had seen local authorities authorised to step in and buy a rental property if the landlord was selling up, allowing the tenants to remain in place and continue renting.

However, in some cases, funding allocated for 2025 has been exhausted through purchases earmarked to be made in 2024 — including in Cork City Council.

The council has said it was forced to curtail the programme due to “inadequate” funding.

One source at the meeting said concerns have been “bubbling along for several weeks”.

Social housing targets

TDs speaking at the meeting backed up the policy, saying the tenant-in-situ scheme offers good value for money to buy properties.

However, there was criticism of some local authorities. Some Fianna Fáil TDs saying that councils were not thinking ahead and spending funds before they were confirmed.

There was also criticism that councils are not building enough social housing and opting to use tenant-in-situ as an excuse.

It is understood that public expenditure minister Jack Chambers told the meeting that he understood the issue.

However, Mr Chambers raised the fact that in many tenant-in-situ cases, the State was opting to buy properties that would have otherwise gone onto the private housing market.

Planned investments

Meanwhile, it is understood that Mr Chambers briefed the meeting on the upcoming revised National Development Plan.

Sources said Mr Chambers indicated the revised plan would not be a “one for everybody” document, but would be focused on investments in housing, transport infrastructure, water, and energy.

It comes as the meeting also heard concerns about the delivery of housing, with TDs expressing worry that the number of houses in 2025 could be lower than 2024.

One TD said there was a “nervousness” in the party about housing and a degree of frustration.

“We know it doesn’t matter how well we’re doing in justice or higher education. We know where we will be judged is in housing,” they said. “We need to see the plan and the progress.”