At the county council meeting on Monday 11th May the first council housing development in Clonburris got the initial go ahead. The development includes 274 homes, out of which 184 are to be affordable housing and 90 social housing. Some of the affordable housing units might be part of an affordable rental scheme. This is the first development in the Clonburris Strategic Development Zone and is located near the Kishogue train station on a site which is partially used as traveller specific accommodation.
Cllr Madeleine Johansson commented: “It’s very welcome that housing developments in this area are now being proposed. There is a huge need for affordable housing, but in order to actually satisfy that need the housing needs to be real affordable.
“The affordable housing in this proposal ranges in price from €162 000 for a 1-bed, €216 000 for a 2-bed and €261 000 for a 3-bed. When compared to other new builds in Lucan there is a discount on the market rate, however we have seen other affordable housing scheme selling below €200 000.
“According to figures obtained by People Before Profit through Parliamentary Questions the state can build 3-bed homes for between €160 000-€180 000. I would question how much profit the builder would be making on this scheme.
“It is unclear how the current public health crisis will affect the economy over the next few years, including the housing market. Entering in to an affordable housing scheme where prices are already unaffordable might end up in disaster for the council.
“The better alternative to this unaffordable “affordable housing” is to increase income limits for social housing to allow more families access while simultaneously building large scale high quality housing.
“This development will come back to the council later in 2020 and I will continue to raise these issues and fight for real affordable housing.”
