'Unforgivable' - Carlow Councillor slams Government decision to end tenant-in-situ scheme

A Carlow Councillor has slammed the Government's decision to end the vital tenant in-situ scheme saying this comes when there are over 100 people in some form of emergency accommodation in Carlow.

In recent years the tenant-in-situ scheme has provided a crucial safety net for renters at risk of homelessness. The decision by Housing Minister James Browne to halt funding for the scheme is a devastating blow to struggling tenants and local authorities attempting to prevent evictions.

Carlow County Council is the latest local authority to discontinue the scheme due to lack of government funding.

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People Before Profit Councillor Adrienne Wallace said,

“Carlow County Council has confirmed to me that no more homes will be purchased under the tenant-in-situ scheme because the Minister for Housing James Browne ended funding for the scheme”.

Carlow County Council Housing Department replied with the following,

"Carlow County Council is not in a position to purchase a property under TIS, as our capacity to acquire homes in 2025 is significantly constrained by limited funding and existing commitments carried over from 2024."

Wallace went on to say,

"Local Government TDs have removed the only homeless prevention measure people had in Carlow. This comes when there are over 100 people in some form of emergency accommodation in Carlow. This will force more people into homelessness and despair.

"I have already had to break the news to local families that could have availed of this scheme that they have very limited supports now and could be facing homelessness.

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“The tenant-in-situ scheme is one of the very few housing initiatives in recent years that provided some support for renters facing eviction into homelessness. But the government’s decision to end funding for the scheme means that local authorities can no longer buy homes to keep tenants out of homelessness.

"Dublin City Council, Fingal County Council and Carlow County Council have all ended the tenant-in-situ scheme in their areas. More will inevitably follow”.

“By gutting the tenant-in-situ scheme, the government is condemning thousands of renters to homelessness. The stress and hardship inflicted on so many people is unforgivable. Local TDs and their partners in Government should immediately reinstate funding and expand the scheme to ensure that all tenants can be protected from eviction,” she added.