Launched yesterday (Wednesday ), Galway County Council's housing survey aims to gauge the 'interest and preferred locations in County Galway for affordable homes'.
According to Galway County Council, these submissions will then be used to inform the local authority on its 'ongoing work of developing affordable housing across the County, in accordance with the 'Housing for All Delivery Action Plan 2022 - 2026'. The survey, which County Council officials say, 'takes less than five minutes to complete', will remain open for the next four weeks.
Councillor Albert Dolan, Cathaoirleach of the County of Galway, has appealed to those who feel they may be eligible for local authority housing to take part in the survey.
“Affordable housing schemes provide houses at a reduced price for eligible applicants, so I am appealing to people who feel they may be eligible to acquire or rent an affordable home from the local authority to complete the short survey. It is an important first step in delivering affordable housing schemes in the county.”
Michael Owens, Director of Housing for Galway County Council said, “The feedback gathered from this survey, which takes less than five minutes to complete, will inform our delivery of affordable housing in the county. The information we are looking for includes the numbers of people / households interested in affordable housing, family size, the type of housing/accommodation required, house prices that people might be able to afford, and preferred locations.
“Galway County Council will will use the information gathered to inform targeted development of future affordable housing schemes in Galway County, which will be advertised through the Local Authority’s media channels as they are developed."
Housing for All Plan
Introduced by the Government in 2021, the Housing for All Delivery Action Plan for 2022 - 2026 (HDAP ) was introduced as a 'multi-annual, multi-billion euro plan which will improve Ireland's housing system and deliver more homes of all types for people with different housing needs'.
In July 2024, Galway County Council received planning approval from An Bord Pleanála for a 'significant new housing development at Baile Chláir (Claregalway )', which includes the first 'affordable homes' to be delivered in the county under the HDAP plan.
The Local Authority, in conjunction with the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage, proposed the development of 88 new residential units, divided into 39 houses and 14 apartment buildings on the 2.7 hectare site at Lakeview Rd, Claregalway. The development will include 'two four-bedroom, 19 three-bedroom, 18 two-bedroom houses', with the 14 apartment buildings made up of '15 three-bedroom, 21 two-bedroom and 13 one-bedroom units' spanning 2.5 to three storeys high. The proposed Baile Chláir plan also includes a 'crech and a community playground'.
It is expected that the construction works for the Baile Chláir site will commence in 2025.
Survey
To access and complete the survey, visit the Galway County Council website at www.galway.ie/affordablesurvey The survey will remain open to submissions for four weeks.
