Social housing scheme - Ownership is a smart move

PROPOSALS published yesterday, if enacted, will allow social housing tenants to buy the houses they are living in and are aimed at increasing home ownership among low income families.

This welcome scheme provides for a package that will make it possible for a family to buy their home over a period of 30 years. It confronts poverty and rewards responsibility in a real and meaningful way.

Also included in the legislation are measures which will strengthen the hand of local authorities which might wish to evict tenants involved in antisocial behaviour.

People in all categories of housing are subject to antisocial behaviour and every home owner should be afforded the same protection.