Green light for affordable housing project in west Mayo

An affordable housing fund application submitted by Mayo County Council for the development of 13 affordable purchase homes at Springfield, Westport, has been approved.

The news has been confirmed by Housing Minister Darragh O'Brien.

He stated: "I granted approval in principle to this application and Mayo County Council has advised of this decision.

"Scheduled delivery of these affordable homes will be in 2024."

In response to a query by Mayo TD Alan Dillon in regard to proposals to address the need for affordable housing in Mayo, the minister said he recently announced the ‘Ready to Build’ Scheme.

He elaborated: "The scheme will be funded from the Croí Cónaithe (Towns) Fund.

"Under the scheme, local authorities will make serviced sites available in towns and villages to potential purchasers for the building by the purchaser of a principal private residence.

"The sites will be sold at a discounted rate of up to €30,000 from the market value.

"The discount will be determined by the cost of servicing the site.

"This will facilitate the making available of some 2,000 sites for homes by 2025 and can be availed of by Mayo County Council to help meet affordable housing need.

"The First Home Scheme alsosupports first-time buyers in purchasing new houses and apartments in the private market through the use of an equity share model, similar to that employed in the Local Authority Affordable Purchase Scheme.

"The scheme aims to support in the region of 8,000 households in acquiring new homes in the private market in the years 2022 to 2026 with an overall budget of €400 million. The scheme is available nationwide."