€3.9m funding approved for affordable housing in Rush

The Minister for Housing, Darragh O’Brien TD, has approved funding of €3.9m under the Affordable Housing Fund for 52 affordable purchase homes at Hayestown, Rush in North County Dublin.

Fingal County Council, who has been progressing the project will advertise the affordable purchase homes on their website in the early part of 2023 ahead of the completion date in the second-half of the year.

Commenting Minister O’Brien said: “I was delighted to give approval today to these 52 much needed affordable homes under the Affordable Purchase Fund.

“Increasing home-ownership is a priority for this Government.

“Our ‘Housing for All’ plan sets us on a pathway to delivering 56,000 affordable homes to purchase and rent by the end of 2030 and reflects our priority of creating a long-term sustainable housing system.

“As a TD for North County Dublin I know just how acutely the affordability constraints are felt by people, young and not so young, and the struggle they face in finding a home in their own locality.

“I have put affordability at the heart of this Government’s housing plans and this year will see a significant ramping up of affordable homes for sale and rent – something which we have not seen in this country in over a decade.”

Minister O’Brien also commended the local authority who “championed” the project.

The Affordable Housing Fund (AHF) subsidy is available to local authorities as a direct subvention on local authority housing development costs at rates of €50,000, €75,000 and €100,000 per affordable unit dependent on a number of conditions.

It enables local authorities to make affordable homes available to purchase or rent at prices and rents below market rates; 15% reduction for affordable purchase and 25% reduction for Cost Rental.