The Department of Housing has announced an expansion to the buy and renew scheme which will allow building contractors to directly acquire and refurbish vacant and derelict properties for social housing. Previously the scheme was only open to local authorities and approved housing bodies. Under a new expanded approach, building contractors will be included, potentially providing a new delivery channel for bringing disused buildings back into use. Before works begin, contractors must enter into an agreement with a local authority or an approved housing body to purchase the homes for social housing when complete. The scheme was originally introduced in 2016 to fund local authorities and approved housing bodies to purchase and renew housing units in need of remediation, and make them available for social housing use.

Source: Irish Examiner February 16, 2026 00:11 UTC