The first affordable housing pilot scheme in Kerry is expected to be delivered in 2027.
That’s according to Kerry County Council’s (KCC) Director of Housing, Niamh O’Sullivan.
The council received five applications from developers to take part in the schemes, two in Tralee and three in Killarney.
Work is ongoing on five draft agreements, which must be approved by the Department of Housing and Local Government before funding can be drawn down.
Director of Housing, Niamh O’Sullivan said the applications are at different stages of development.
Two have been granted planning permission, while the remaining three are still going through the planning process.
Councillors were told that, given this, management is optimistic that some homes will be delivered in 2027, subject to departmental approval.
While the final discount has not yet been calculated, it is expected to be between €50,000 and €75,000 per purchaser.
The council’s Housing Strategic Policy Committee (SPC) has agreed that priority for 30% of homes will be given to would-be buyers living in the municipal district.
An earlier proposal to divide this into 10% for municipal district residents and 20% for Kerry residents was rejected on the advice of both the Department and the Local Government Management Agency (LGMA).
A five-year residency requirement will also apply.
The Scheme of Priority for Affordable Dwelling Arrangements has now been approved by the Minister for Housing and Local Government.
It will return to the full council for formal adoption and will apply only to these five pilot schemes.
New schemes of priority will be needed for any future developments.
Work is also underway on a process to advertise the homes and market the scheme to buyers and lenders.
Councillor Mikey Sheehy has urged financial institutions not to introduce unnecessary conditions that could make it harder for first-time buyers to secure finance.
Meanwhile, several councillors have called for affordable housing to be extended beyond Tralee and Killarney as soon as possible.
