Affordable Housing Options Heading to Dublin

Three council-owned sites have been offered to developers under the condition that affordable homes are built in its place. Dublin City Council who offered up the sites are attempting to tackle the rising prices in Dublin and offer reasonable priced houses, apartments, and duplexes at three different sites. Over 370 homes will be built starting at €116,000 aimed at attracting low and middle-income buyers.

Average house prices in Dublin have grown over 4% in the first couple of months this year outperforming the national average by over 1%. Dublin’s current average house price is €383,000 and many people are having trouble affording homes in the city. Dublin City Council aims to start prices at €267,000 less than the current average which will allow for more diversity within Dublin’s housing market makeup.

The least expensive of the new homes being built are the two Ballymun sites. One Ballymun site will be located on Sillogue Road near Main Street. The other site will be listed on Balbutcher Lane. Options will include a one-bedroom apartment, two-bedroom duplex and house, three-bedroom duplex and house, …

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RTE: Sean O’Rourke show, Karl Deeter & Ruth Coppinger discuss housing

We were pleased to take part in a conversation about social housing on the Sean O’Rourke show today. Karl was raising the point that people who need social benefits assistance should get them but not necessary forever, that it can constitute a form of ‘middle class welfare’.

Ruth had a different view and believes that social housing should not be aimed at people who need the homes the most and that social help shouldn’t just be given to the poorest in society. When Sean asked specifically if  she believed in an entitlement to social housing for life irrespective of your means, and she didn’t disagree.

We believe this is something that should be discussed because a benefit entitlement that makes sense on day one might not make sense 20 years down the road and if the idea of social housing is to help the less well off then keeping them when you are well off at a low price (which constitutes a transfer) doesn’t seem justified.

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