25 new builds in Longford Town to go on sale under the Affordable Housing Scheme

Twenty-five new builds on the Ballinalee Road in Longford town will soon be up for sale under the Affordable Housing Scheme, last week’s meeting of Longford County Council was told.  

Addressing the chamber, Social Development Director of Services, Samantha Healy, said, “If you recall, we had opened our website where people could express an interest in the units. To date we’ve had over 150 expressions of interest.” 

Ms Healy added, “The auctioneer visited the site and is very positive about the units and the potential for sale as well. We are engaging with the developer with a view to become approved for the Help To Buy Scheme."

"It’s important to note that the Help To Buy Scheme is available to individuals as well as the Affordable Purchase Scheme. It’s up to €30,000 that a couple of individuals can get through the help to buy scheme. It is dependent on the previous three years' revenue contributions being made.”  

Read More: Longford Lights! Crowds! Action! How to plan a visit for the iconic festival

Ms Healy said the online portal had been finalised and would include the application form, all information on how the scheme works and information on the application process.

“We will notify the public two weeks before the portal opens and in terms of the scheme being open.” 

It is now intended to hold information sessions commencing the week of March 9 and on the 23.

“There will be evening sessions to maximise the possible attendance at those. They will be held here in Áras an Chontae, Ballymahon Library, and Granard Library. The portal will open on March 16 or 30, the showhouse will be open from April 6 and that’s eligible to all applicants of the scheme,” Ms Healy explained.

During April, May, and June the housing department will be assessing eligibility and working with the developer, contractor, and the auctioneer.

Ms Healy added, “In terms of unit types that make up the 25 units, we have five two-bed terraced units, eight three-bed terraced units, and twelve three-bed semi units. 

Read More: "We'll miss the locals so much" Longford EuroGiant staff heartbroken by closure

The sale price after the equity share but not the €30,000 available from the Help To Buy Scheme is €248,220 for the two-bed terraced units, €329,152 for the three-bed terraced units and €328,759 for the three-bed semi units.”    

Cllr Peggy Nolan commended the presentation adding, “As a local representative who has been looking for more affordable housing in Longford for many years,  I am glad to see that this is now en route.” 

Cllr Nolan stressed, “We need affordable housing. We need to attract people that have a disposable income. We can’t keep building council houses, we must have schemes like this right across the county. This is just the start of something that Longford will benefit from.” 

Cllr Pat O’Toole echoed Cllr Nolan’s sentiments and added that with 150 expressions of interest in the houses, it shouldn’t prove difficult to sell the 25 available. 

Cllr Paul Ross commended the “high quality of the houses” and the fantastic site on which they were located. 

Cllr Kevin Hussey likewise praised the good news story and the massive amount of work invested by the team. 

Cllr Gerry Hagan welcomed the development but questioned how many of the 150 expressions of interest had come from outside the county. 

He said there was a “serious need for us to start looking after our own Longford people within our county.”  

In response to Cllr Hagan, Ms Healy replied, “We certainly have received a number of expressions of interest from within the county” but added that not all individuals who expressed an interest had indicated where they were from. 

The properties are expected to be delivered in early 2027. 

Funded by the local democracy reporting scheme