Councils Struggle to Purchase Homes to Prevent Homelessness

Local authorities are facing challenges in purchasing homes from landlords to prevent tenant evictions.

Landlords often set asking prices beyond what councils can afford, leading to failed acquisitions.

For instance, Kilkenny County Council reported difficulties in securing housing for families due to landlords reluctance to sell at council-offered prices. This situation raises concerns about families being used as leverage in price negotiations.

The Department of Housing is expected to issue updated guidelines on property acquisition costs to address these issues.