*Photograph: Joe Buckley
APPROVAL has been granted for both Ennis and Shannon to be included in the Affordable Housing Scheme.
Persons on moderate incomes are assisted to buy new homes at reduced prices under the Local Authority Affordable Purchase Scheme. Homes included in the scheme are located in areas with the greatest housing need and where affordability is an issue.
Director of Social Development in Clare County Council, Anne Haugh confirmed that in the past two weeks the local authority has been informed by the Department of Housing that it has been granted approval in principle for affordable housing schemes in Ennis and Shannon.
In March, the Council made a submission to the Department seeking the inclusion of both towns. Data included in the submission was sourced from an expression of interest survey ran by the Council which had over 500 submissions.
Speaking this week, Ms Haugh outlined, “our submission was prepared and done so with very little guidance at the time. We received advice on what should constitute the submission including a housing market analysis for Ennis and Shannon”.
This analysis detailed that 672 households in Ennis and 203 in Shannon would be facing an affordability challenge “in that they would over limit for social housing and not eligible for mortgage, it clearly demonstrated the case for affordable housing,” she added.
“Certain flexibility” has now been introduced to the scheme so that towns that do not have a population of 10,000 but have an affordability challenge can be included. She said a separate submission would be needed for each local scheme to be put forward, “it is not a simple task but the door is open. We will be progressing with Ennis and Shannon and the identification of an appropriate scheme to submit”.
Haugh added, “it will be open to consideration to any proposals that come our way from any other key towns in the county where we see the scheme will be viable”.
Cllr PJ Ryan (IND) this week tabled a motion before the local authority requesting the Minister for Housing, Darragh O’Brien (FF) to assess the “the criteria around affordable housing in Co. Clare”. Among the criteria referenced by the Cratloe representative was that the population had to be over 10,000. “Quite a lot of couples are in position that they can afford affordable housing, it would take quite a lot of people off our housing list, we’re moving in the right direction”.
Clarification was sought by Cllr Michael Begley (IND) on why the scheme could not be extended to other towns in the county. Councillors need to put pressure on, Cllr Pat McMahon (FF) insisted, “It should be very simple in the context that there is infrastructure, that is where houses will be needed into the future”.
Clare’s successful application was welcomed by Cllr Joe Garrihy (FG). “Anywhere possible that we can make it more accessible to get housing is to be welcomed. Interest rates are going up at an unmerciful rate,” remarked Cllr Tom O’Callaghan (FF). Cllr Johnny Flynn (FG) recalled, “it is well over a year ago that Cllr Gerry Flynn put down a motion on the criteria”.
“Young couples are finding it very difficult, houses have gone up to €300,000 plus, they just cannot afford it. We have a massive population in Ennis and throughout the county, the more private houses the better,” Cllr Pat Daly (FF) added. Cllr Donna McGettigan (SF) lended her support to the motion while Cllr Cillian Murphy (FF) said the topic was “a particular bugbear of mine” and pointed to the average house price of €230,000 in the county.
