This article is from page 15 of the 2007-04-10 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 15 JPG
A TOTAL of 104 houses and apart- ments in private estates throughout the county have been made available at an average discount of €60,000 to first time buyers over the past few years.
These included housing units in Ennis, Clarecastle, Newmarket-on- Fergus, Quin, Sixmilebridge, Shan- non and Kilrush. The market price averaged at €225,000 while the special discounted price averaged alow nee eF
Cllr. Joe Arkins, Cathaoirleach of the Council’s Strategic Policy Com- mittee for Housing and Social Serv- ices, says that the concept of afford-
able housing has really taken off in Clare. It is anticipated that an addi- tional 300 units will be made avail- able in the next three years at various locations throughout the county.
“I would encourage people with incomes of € 35,000 – € 40,000 to avail of this excellent opportunity to own their own homes. Having regard to the fact that the average house price in Clare during 2006 was € 263,000, the possibility of purchas- ing a quality home at a discounted rate of between 20% and 25% should be seriously considered”.
Commenting on the scheme, one developer stated that his firm has pro- vided over 20 housing units in Ennis. “We found the scheme to very effec-
tive and easy to administer.Without it many people would be deprived of the opportunity of owning their own home”.
David Timlin, Director of Serv- ices, Housing & Social Policy, said the investment in housing services had never been greater. “The com- mitment of the government in mak- ing available a wide range of options allows local authorities to focus on a comprehensive set of actions to 1m- prove housing availability to develop sustainable communities.”
At present there are affordable homes available in Ennis, Clare-
castle, Crusheen, Lisdoonvarna, Kildysart, Miltown Malbay and Shannon.