First affordable housing project in Mayo moves forward with 35 homes planned
Mayo has taken a significant step toward addressing its affordable housing shortage, with a new application submitted for the development of 35 affordable homes at the Heather View development in Snugboro, Castlebar.
Minister of State and Mayo TD Alan Dillon has confirmed that the proposal has been sent to the Department of Housing for consideration under the Affordable Purchase Scheme.
If approved, the houses would be priced between €260,000 and €300,000.
This would provide below-market options for first-time buyers and for those caught in the gap between not qualifying for social housing while also being unable to meet rising private-market prices.
The proposed plan includes a mix of housing units:
Six, two-bedroom end-of-terrace units
Eight, three-bedroom mid-terrace units
11, three-bedroom end of terrace units
Six, three-bedroom semi-detached units
If approved, this would be the first large-scale affordable housing project in Mayo, where only five affordable homes have been delivered since 2012.
The need for affordable options has become increasingly urgent and has been raised repeatedly by councillors over recent months.
At the October meeting of the Castlebar Municipal District Council, Cllr Donna Sheridan expressed disappointment that a new 66-unit development at Lawn Park in Castlebar did not include any affordable homes.
While welcoming the provision of 66 social housing units, she stressed that councillors have consistently called for a balance of both social and affordable housing, and that new developments must include an affordable element.
The call for more affordable housing is not limited to Castlebar.
At the November meeting of the Ballina Municipal District, councillors agreed that 10pc of all new housing developments should be designated for affordable homes.
They specifically requested that 10pc of units at the upcoming Duffy's Bakery and Cheshire Homes sites be allocated for affordable housing.
The urgency of the situation was also highlighted at the most recent Housing Strategic Policy Committee meeting, where the council was urged to deliver 400 affordable homes over the next four years.
During the meeting, Cllr Neil Cruise described the current social housing income threshold as outdated, arguing that many dual-income households on minimum wage are effectively locked out of social housing, yet unable to afford private prices.
Councillors noted that, unlike social housing, there are currently no national targets for affordable homes.
In response, Cllr Peter Flynn proposed that Mayo County Council set its own targets, suggesting 100 affordable homes per year for the remainder of the council's term, up to 2029.
As the demand for more affordable options continues to grow in Mayo, the plan for 35 homes under the scheme is a much-needed step in the right direction.
Under the Affordable Purchase Scheme, local authorities can offer new homes at a reduced price to first-time buyers and other eligible purchasers who cannot afford to buy a home at full market value with a maximum mortgage and a 10% deposit.
As part of the scheme, the local authority takes an equity share in the home, equal to the difference between its open market value and the reduced purchase price paid by the buyer.
Confirming the news, Minister Dillon said the move was a "significant milestone for Mayo".
Minister Dillon said: "This is a major and long-overdue boost for Castlebar and for Mayo,
"For some time, I have consistently pressed the case that Mayo needs to be front and centre when it comes to affordable housing,
"Securing the submission of this application marks real progress, and I am delighted to see this significant step now taken,
He acknowledged the growing gap faced by those who do not qualify for social housing but cannot afford private prices, saying, "This development will finally help bridge that gap".
"Young families and couples have been calling for affordable options for years, this project begins to answer that call," he added.
This article has been funded by the Local Democracy Reporting Scheme.