Dublin City Council to build 206 affordable homes in Ballymun

Dublin City Council has proposed the development of 206 affordable homes in Ballymun, spread over two sites in the area.

According to the council, 105 homes will be built on a site off Balbutcher Lane, while 101 units will be built on a site off Sillogue Road.

It is understood each house will be subsidised by up to €100,000 but how much they will cost to buy has not yet been announced.

The project has been widely welcomed by local councillors with Fianna Fail councillor Keith Connolly saying that the homes are “badly needed.”

“The details of how to apply for one are being worked out at the moment but there will be set criteria linked to earnings and being a first-time buyer,” he says.

“As part of each development there will be improved public spaces.”

Overall, there will be 145 three beds and 61 two bed homes while planning permission is set to be applied for in early 2022.

The council says that if all goes to plan, it expects to begin construction in 2023.

Vice Chair of the Oireachtas Housing committee and local Fianna Fáil T.D, Paul McAuliffe also welcomed the development, saying: “These new homes will cost much lower than the private market due to the state subsidy of €100,000.

“I look forward to working with the Minister and Dublin City Council to ensure the delivery of more homes in Ballymun.”

Independent councillor Noeleen Reilly says the project should help alleviate the long waiting lists for housing the area.

“There is a huge waiting list like everywhere for people in Ballymun for affordable housing,” she says.

“It is great to see quality decent size family homes being built on public land in the area and especially managed by Dublin City Council which there should be a lot more of.

Expressions of Interests will be open to residents next year where there will be a list of criteria laid out including length of time living in the area, family size and Income levels.”

Reilly says that the council must commit to the affordable aspect of the development.

“All of these homes will qualify for the affordable housing scheme and will get state assistance of up to a €100,000 which in turn should make the scheme really affordable for people.

“It is imperative that Dublin City Council does not waiver on affordability.

“I want people in Ballymun to be able to afford to buy and live in the area if they do not qualify for social housing.

“For too long we have seen families leave Ballymun as there was no affordable housing scheme.”