Flaherty backs Longford's affordable housing rollout
Longford Fianna Fáil TD Joe Flaherty has said the onset of an affordable housing scheme for Longford represents “a major step forward” for the county.
Mr Flaherty was speaking after revealing how senior local authority officials were last week set to address local councillors about the plans.
The Lanesboro native also revealed it was his belief that should an initial small scale development return positive results, more substantial schemes will follow.
“The council have identified a scheme of 10-12 houses which will be offered to members of the public under the affordable housing scheme,” he said.
Mr Flaherty said local authority officials will invite members of the public to submit expressions of interest for the scheme next month and construction on the houses will commence early in 2023.
“In order to achieve a fully functioning housing market, it is critical that we test the market with an affordable housing scheme,” he said.
“If this scheme is successful, then larger scheme will follow county wide.”
Under the scheme, the local authority takes a €50,000 stake in the new house which would-be purchasers can then redeem over time.
As the scheme caters for new houses only, it also offers the opportunity for would be purchasers to access the Help to Buy Scheme, which enables them to recoup previously paid taxes towards the cost of a house deposit.
“This is a major step forward for housing in Longford and will see the first commercial building of starter homes (three bedroom, semi detached) for almost 12 years,” he said.
“It’s the confidence boost that house building and construction has been waiting for locally.”