Kildare Senator encourages first-time buyers to consider Local Authority Home Loan

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A Senator based in Kildare has encouraged first-time home buyers to consider applying for a Local Authority Home Loan.

Fianna Fáil Senator Fiona O'Loughlin made the comments today, in which she encouraged those seeking to purchase a new or second-hand home, as well as those who are considering building their own home, to apply for the loan.

Her sentiments were echoed by her party colleague, James Lawless TD.

Explaining her comments, Senator O'Loughlin said:

"A Local Authority Home Loan is a Government backed mortgage for creditworthy first time buyers (or those making a fresh start after a divorce, separation or bankruptcy) and is available nationwide from all Local Authorities.

"There seems to be a paralysis in terms of doing something.

Senator Fiona O'Loughlin, Fianna Fáil.

She continued: "We want and we need people to know that there are options when it comes to buying a home and the Local Authority Home Loan is one of a number of measures which is available to help.

"In March this year, the government made major improvements to the loan by increasing both the house price ceilings for all local authority areas and raising the income eligibility limits for applicants meaning it now applies to a wider base with more people eligible to apply.

"It is hard to buy a home in Ireland, no one is denying that, but there are real signs that the situation is improving and so it’s really important that people know there are several State backed measures to help them own a home."

"There has been an annual increase of 37.8 per cent in the total number of homes approved planning permission in Q1 2023.

"Commencement figures remain very strong and figures published just last week shows there were 2,985 homes commenced in July 2023, an increase of 22.4 per cent on the same time last year.

"14,069 homes were completed in the first half of 2023 which is the highest H1 completion total since records began in 2011."

The Senator added that she feels that the the Local Authority Home Loan 'is another tool in our armoury to help people, both young and not so young, to own their own home'.

"I’d also encourage anyone considering buying a home to have a look at it or indeed the other State schemes such as the Help-to-Buy initiative, the First Home Scheme or the Vacant Property Grant,”" Senator O'Loughlin concluded.