Wicklow delivered just nine new-build social homes in three month period
The Wicklow PeopleWicklow County Council only managed to deliver 9 new-build social homes in the third quarter of 2025. This compares with 91 homes delivered in quarter 2 and 23 in quarter 2. The latest figures were published by the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage, in the Q3 social and affordable housing delivery statistics.
Traditionally, the delivery of social housing increases throughout the year and the bulk of delivery is achieved in the fourth quarter. In 2024, over two-thirds of all new-build delivery occurred in the final three-months of the year.
The Department figures show Wicklow County Council had set a target of providing 248 social housing units at the start of 2025. By the end of quarter 3, 123 homes were delivered, representing a delivery rate of 49.6pc.
In 2025, the local authority focused on social housing delivery through several key estates and development projects.
In June the local authority successfully allocated over 90 new social homes through the completion of three estates at Doire Dubh in Tinahely, Cois Droichid in Greystones and Tinakilly Park in Rathnew.
A scheme for 17 social houses and 3 group houses in Barndarrig was in progress with Part 8 consultations closing in late 2025. Meanwhile Wicklow partnered with Ark Housing and Tiglin to deliver two specialized properties by July.
While substantial allocations occurred in the first half of 2025, a project for 106 social homes at Burgage More in Blessington was indefinitely stalled in mid-2025 following a government value-for-money review.
Wicklow has been a high performer nationally, achieving 142% of its overall target between 2022 and 2024 by building 1,206 homes against a target of 847.
Since 2022, Wicklow has seen 970 households availing of affordable housing supports through a mix of affordable schemes such as the Local Authority Affordable Purchase Scheme (91 homes), the First Homes Scheme (665 homes), the Vacant Homes Refurbishment Grant (42 homes), LDA Cost Rental (142 homes), AHB Cost Rental (29 homes), and the Cost Rental Tenant in Situ scheme (1). Under its 2026 budget of €183 million, housing is among the main primary spending priorities for Wicklow County Council.
The local authority costs to acquire or maintain social housing units include:
• Acquisition of Second-Hand Dwellings: For 2025/2026, a national fund of €325 million was allocated to local authorities specifically for second-hand social housing acquisitions. This includes "tenant-in-situ" purchases, where the council buys a home from a private landlord to prevent a tenant from becoming homeless.
• Renovating "Void" Units (Re-lets): WCC incurs significant costs to prepare vacant social homes for new tenants. In 2024, the average cost for these "re-lets" was €35,500 per house. For 2026, the council has made additional provisions for housing repairs and pre-letting works beyond previous years.
To drive the delivery of affordable housing, Wicklow County Council will prepare a new delivery action plan in the months ahead, replacing their plan made under Housing for All, setting out how the Starter Homes Programme will be implemented within their administrative areas.
The development of their action plan will be undertaken in collaboration with several delivery partners, including the Land Development Agency and Approved Housing Bodies and will be informed by local needs, taking account of the requirement to provide the right mix of homes within their district areas.