Home builders and housing developers in County Westmeath are being asked to consider offering unbuilt houses or apartments with planning permission, to local authorities under an advance purchase turnkey arrangement.
Local authorities are seeking to enter into advance purchase arrangements to secure turnkey homes in areas where the need, in particular, for affordable housing, is most acute. This call is targeted at advance purchase opportunities for a minimum of 10 and a maximum of 150 dwellings in any one scheme.
Westmeath County Council is seeking to agree advance purchase of unbuilt turnkey properties ’off-plan’ in Athlone, Moate, Mullingar and Kinnegad.
This advance purchase opportunity has been put in place to provide for accelerated delivery of housing generally, and primarily, to provide affordable homes for eligible applicants nominated by the local authority in areas where a significant need for affordable or social housing has been identified.
It is anticipated that, depending on circumstances and proposals, local authorities will enter into an advance purchase agreement for an approved number of homes, with payment on completion. The advance purchase agreement also provides for the direct sale of homes by the developer to an eligible purchaser nominated by the local authority.
Joint venture arrangements that include an Approved Housing Body (AHB ) will also be considered.
Under the ‘Housing for All’ Plan, significant funding streams are available to Westmeath County Council to increase the number of new-build local authority homes for social and affordable housing.
Westmeath County Council can make an application to the new Affordable Housing Fund (AHF ) to assist in meeting the cost of delivery of affordable housing and deliver affordability to approved purchasers and renters. This AHF forms part of an overall affordable housing budget which will provide €2.9 billon over the period to 2030 to deliver homes for affordable purchase and rent.
Home builders and housing developers are asked to contact Westmeath County Council housing department for more information and to submit an expression of interest. The local authority will consider the initial proposal and, should it meet housing needs, cost and eligibility criteria, additional information will be sought to move forward with the process.
“Under the ‘Housing for All’ plan, Westmeath County Council will significantly increase our provision of social and affordable housing over the coming years. The new Affordable Housing Fund is a very important measure towards that ambition, allowing greater and more efficient delivery of homes at below market rates.
“I urge all home builders and housing developers to consider the many benefits of an advance purchase arrangement with Westmeath County Council, including financial surety and efficiency. Entering an arrangement with us will also provide much needed homes and help to build sustainable communities,” Director of Services for Housing, Mark Keaveney, said.
