Purpose

Summarise a practical menu of policy options to address Ireland’s housing crisis, including compulsory sale and compulsory rent/letting orders, with key design choices and trade-offs.

Objectives (what “success” looks like)

• Increase completed homes (social, affordable, and private) sustainably over multiple years.
• Reduce vacancy/underuse and speed up bringing existing stock into occupation.
• Improve rental security, standards, and affordability without collapsing supply.
• Reduce homelessness inflow and shorten time in emergency accommodation.
• Improve delivery accountability (planning, infrastructure, procurement, and governance).

Policy levers (options menu)

<aside> ℹ️

Ireland status tags

• In place = existing statutory / programme lever (implementation may vary).
• Proposed / under discussion = signalled in policy debate / programme refreshes / commentary, but not yet an established nationwide power. </aside>

1) Activate vacant and underused homes (fast supply)

A. Compulsory Purchase Orders (CPOs)

<aside> 👉

(Ireland: in place; used by local authorities/state bodies)

</aside>

• What: Statutory power for a public authority to acquire land/property without the owner’s consent, with compensation, to achieve a defined public purpose (e.g. housing, regeneration, infrastructure).
• Where it fits (vs CSO/CRO):
  • Use when you need site assembly, a clear title, or redevelopment (not just occupation/letting), or where long-term vacancy/dereliction persists.
  • Often slower/more resource-intensive than CSO/CRO, but can unlock larger/strategic schemes.
• Design choices:
  • Clear public-interest tests and criteria (e.g. persistent dereliction/vacancy; strategic housing location; failure of owner to remedy after notice).
  • Process & timelines: resolution → notice/objection → confirmation → vesting/transfer.
  • Resourcing: surveying/valuation + legal capacity; programme approach (bundling sites) to reduce unit costs.
  • Post-acquisition delivery: disposal/lease to AHB/LDA/LA direct build; conditions to ensure timely delivery.
• Risks/mitigations: procedural challenge risk → strong evidence file, proportionality, documented attempts at voluntary acquisition, robust compensation/valuation process.

B. Compulsory Sale Orders (CSOs)

<aside> 👉

(Ireland: proposed / under discussion in Irish vacancy/dereliction debate; not currently a standard national power — closest levers are CPOs and targeted acquisition schemes)

</aside>

• What: Power for a local authority/state body to require the sale/acquire a long-term vacant/derelict residential property (or relevant site) where an owner won’t act.