Galway West Independent TD Noel Grealish has urged developers across the city and county to play their part in increasing the number of affordable houses in Galway – and reap the benefits.
He said that the success of the nearly completed affordable housing scheme in Claregalway created a template for future developer-led affordable housing schemes.
He described the Garraí Na Gaoithe development – the first affordable homes to be developed in County Galway in more than a decade – as a perfect example for other developers to follow.
“There are 17 houses in the first phase of this new turnkey development, and the massive demand out there for affordable housing is evidenced by the fact that there were more than 100 applicants.
“They are due to find out very soon if they are among the lucky ones who have managed to secure a home of their own.
“What this shows is that it makes perfect sense for developers in both the city and county, who have land available, to build affordable homes.”
Deputy Grealish also urged Galway County Council and Galway City Council to get more pro-active in establishing contact with developers who own or have access to residential-zoned lands and try to convince them to build more affordable housing.
“There’s a template set now in the Claregalway development which should help to speed up future such agreements. We need both councils to really get a push on now to meet the demand out there.”
Deputy Grealish said that people were crying out for these homes but there had been none of them available for more than a decade now.
“The numbers of people who are being caught in the middle – not earning enough to get a mortgage to buy their own home but being over the limit to qualify for social housing – is increasing at pace as far as I can see.
“And with the awful shortage of accommodation to rent, especially in or near the city, some of these are joining the numbers of people who are being made homeless.
“Even people with what would always have been considered a good salary, above the national average, fall into the category of needing an affordable house if they are ever to get a place for themselves and their family – and especially if they are the sole earner in the household.”
The Local Authority Affordable Purchase Scheme makes local authority-provided homes available at a reduced price for first-time buyers and fresh start applicants, whose combined mortgage and deposit would not cover the market price of the newly built home.
The local authority takes a percentage equity stake or a share of the ownership in the home, which the purchaser can redeem or buy out in the future.
The 17 homes about to be allocated in Claregalway – nine three bedroom, six four-bedroom and two two-bedroom houses – are the first phase of 61 affordable housing units being delivered in the Garraí Na Gaoithe development on Lakeview Road.
Construction will start in January on another 16 homes which will be delivered in mid-2025, with the remaining 28 affordable units to be developed in the third phase later next year.
