Athlone Deputy Mayor, Cllr Frankie Keena, has welcomed confirmation from the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage, Deputy Darragh O'Brien, of €1.575 million funding approval for the construction of 21 affordable homes within the Dún an Rí development in Coosan.
Speaking to the Athlone Advertiser this week, Cllr Keena stated that demand for such affordable homes continued to increase with this announcement a welcome boost for the local housing sector.
"There was a big demand last year for the 10 affordable houses in Bower Hill and I am aware that so it is so important to continue providing such type of housing to those members of the public who fit the required income level criteria.
"The provision of housing to cater for all sectors is a priority of mine and in this case, I am talking about the squeezed middle. This relates to those people whose income level is too high to allow them a place on the council housing list and too low to get a mortgage to purchase a house on the open market," Cllr Keena stated.
The Affordable Housing Fund (AHF ) subsidy is available to local authorities as a direct subvention against development costs at rates of €50,000, €75,000 and €100,000 per affordable purchase unit depending on (a ) the density of affordable units per hectare on the development, and (b ) where the development is located.
"A total of €75,000 is being provided per home under the AHF allowing Westmeath County Council to make affordable homes available to purchase at prices significantly below market rates, a 15% reduction for affordable purchase and it is expected that these homes will cost approximately €238,000 - €300,000 depending on the house type.
"Further positive news is that under phase one of this development up to 160 houses are presently under construction from which 21 units will be offered as affordable. It is anticipated that these will be delivered in the first half of 2024, if not earlier.
"Westmeath County Council will welcome expressions of interest from relevant members of the public for the 21 affordable homes at Dún an Rí in due course and I wish to express my gratitude to our local authority;s Housing Department for preparing the necessary documentation for and also a word of appreciation to Deputy Robert Troy for his help on this matter," Cllr Keena concluded.
