Tipperary’s first affordable home scheme takes major step forward
Tipperary’s first affordable housing scheme has moved a step closer after councillors voted to adopt a proposed scheme.
At the June meeting of Tipperary County Council, local representatives were asked to vote to adopt a scheme of priority for an affordable housing development in Clonmel.
A scheme of priority is the measure that councils across Ireland use to determine who qualifies for affordable housing schemes, and which applicants should be offered a house when there are more applicants than there are houses available.
So far, plans for 10 homes in Moangarriff have been approved, with the developer being able to expand the scheme based on demand for it. It is understood that the new affordable homes would be built in the Meadowlands area of Moangarriff.
Under the scheme in Clonmel, prospective applicants must be a first-time buyer or someone seeking a fresh start back on the housing market after a divorce or a relationship breakdown, they must have a 10pc deposit, must be an Irish, UK or EEA resident for at least three months, and they must have mortgage approval in principle, councillors were told at the meeting.
Formally proposing the scheme, councillor Mary Hanna Hourigan, who sits on the council’s housing strategic policy committee (SPC), said it was good news that an affordable scheme for Tipperary was moving along.
“We’re catching up with other counties, it’s worked very well in other places and we’re taking our time, we’re doing it properly, and it’s great to see it being rolled out,” Cllr Hourigan said.
Seconding the motion, Mayor of Clonmel Cllr Pat English said that it’s “very exciting” for Clonmel.
“Delivering housing is something that we were very good at a number of years ago, we built houses and sold sites and made it very affordable for working people who couldn’t get housing from the banks at the time,” he said.
“I’m glad to see we’re back in that sector again, and just to wish it well,” Cllr English added.
Fianna Fáil councillor for Clonmel Siobhán Ambrose said that housing is essential, and it was good to see that the squeezed middle would be helped by this scheme.
“Housing is essential and any kind of scheme that that’s going to help young people to get on the ladder, and also individuals who have come through a relationship or marriage breakdown to get back on the housing ladder is very important,” she said.
Independent councillor Máirín McGrath also welcomed the scheme, and said that it should be further rolled out across the county as soon as possible.
Director of services for housing Jonathan Cooney told councillors that a scheme for Nenagh would be submitted this week, with plans for a scheme in Thurles following over the coming months.
After that, he added, other towns would be considered for their own affordable housing schemes.
Under the affordable housing scheme, people can buy homes at a reduced rate, with the local authority taking a percentage stake in the home.