Eoin Ó Broin (Dublin Mid West, Sinn Fein)
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958. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government if he will review the provisions in Circular 06/2024 - Arrangements for Social Housing Acquisitions which has resulted in approved housing bodies being unable to access capital advance leasing funding to acquire homes for those experiencing homelessness. [12504/25]

James Browne (Wexford, Fianna Fail)
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Tenant in Situ Acquisitions were introduced by way of Government decision in 2023 as a short term response to the reported uplift in sales by landlords of homes which were within the HAP and RAS schemes in order to prevent potential homelessness where other solutions could not be found for the affected tenants.

A further Government decision extended such acquisitions into 2024 with approval granted for 1,300 Tenant in Situ acquisitions in addition to the 200 priority acquisitions target for 2024 contained in Housing for All.

Tenant in Situ acquisitions have been and important measure in the prevention of homelessness since their introduction in 2023. Government has therefore agreed to continue funding such acquisitions in 2025. My Department has notified local authorities on the extension of the programme and a circular setting out the arrangements will issue shortly.

Tenant in situ acquisitions continue to be supported and prioritised where other solutions cannot be found for the affected tenants. It is a matter for local authorities to assess the circumstances of each case and decide the appropriate action. The arrangements for 2025 will ensure a more targeted and focussed acquisitions programme.

My Department is finalising a circular setting out the arrangements for 2025 and this will be issued to the sector shortly.

My Department operates a number of funding programmes that assist Local Authorities to work in partnership with Approved Housing Bodies (AHBs) to construct and purchase homes, making them available for social housing. One such programme that Local Authorities and AHBs progress Social Housing projects through is the Capital Advance Leasing Facility (CALF) and Payment and Availability (P&A) programme. This loan facility can support between 25% and 30% of the eligible capital cost of the housing project. The Local Authority issues the CALF monies to the AHB and the Local Authority, in turn, recoups same from my Department.

Applications for P&A-CALF funding is made by AHBs directly to my Department, with the support of the Local Authority, following a consultation period with the Local Authority. During this period the Local Authority confirms their support for the proposed homes, agrees the need and the terms and conditions of the availability agreement around the homes.

As with all Exchequer-supported projects, my Department as sanctioning authority, assesses each project proposal for suitability as determined by the Local Authority, value for money and compliance with the various requirements of the funding programme before approval is issued.