Hundreds Set To Vie For "Affordable" Homes In Naas Tomorrow Requiring Incomes Up To €100K

Tuesday, 27 May 2025 08:48

By Martin Osborne

To be eligible, applicants must typically have a gross household income of no more than €100,463, according to the council's breakdown.

Hundreds of people will vie to purchase eight homes on Rathasker Road in Naas tomorrow.

The homes, ranging from two bedroom and three bedroom homes, are being offered under the affordable housing scheme.

However, under the Local Authority Home Loan scheme - a cornerstone of Ireland’s affordable housing strategy - eligible buyers in Kildare are capped at purchasing homes worth no more than €360,000.

The batch of affordable homes released by Kildare County Council includes some homes that have hit the market at €370,000, pricing them just beyond the reach of the scheme’s limits.

To be eligible, applicants must typically have a gross household income of no more than €100,463, according to the council's breakdown.

A two-bedroom mid-terrace, the most modest of the offerings at €295,000, requires an income of no more than €84,000.

Kildare North Fine Gael TD Joe Neville said some prospective buyers are being outpriced by policy.

He said the prices have resulted in first-time buyers who rely on the scheme effectively being locked out of properties officially labelled as affordable.

Launched in 2022, the Local Authority Home Loan was created for creditworthy applicants who cannot secure adequate mortgages from commercial banks.

It can be used for new and second-hand properties, or to self-build.

Kfm understands that a review of the scheme is underway by the Department of Housing.

Officials are reassessing income thresholds and property price limits, with a focus on ensuring that the loan remains “accessible and relevant” and in line with market values.

The review is not expected to be completed until the end of the second quarter of this year.

Online applications start at 9am tomorrow morning.

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