Well, let’s talk about the housing situation in north Dublin, shall we? Almost 2,000 brave souls have thrown their hats in the ring for a shot at snagging one of just 20 cost-rental homes up for grabs. These one- and two-bedroom apartments, located at Griffin Point in Clongriffin, Dublin 13, are like gold dust in this housing market. Applications opened on the Respond website a few days back and will be hanging around until May 30th. The rent for these beauties? Brace yourselves – €1,326 per month for the one-bedroom units and €1,478 for the two-bedroom ones. Ouch, right?
Now, here’s the kicker – Griffin Point is set to have a grand total of 64 cost-rental homes in its larger 397-unit development by February 2026. These homes are specifically designed for folks who don’t quite make the cut for social housing but still have a household net annual income of less than €66,000. The rents for these places need to be a whopping 25% lower than the regular market rates, all based on the costs of building, managing, and keeping these homes in tip-top shape. Plus, tenants get to enjoy some long-term security with leases that stretch out over several years. It’s like finding a unicorn in a field of horses, folks.
When it comes to delivering these gems, AHBs, local authorities, and the Land Development Agency (LDA) are the ones making it happen. And get this – there’s no profit for the developers involved. The local authorities and AHBs are the ones doing the heavy lifting, applying for government funding and grants to cover the costs of building or buying these homes. But here’s the not-so-fun part – the State missed its social housing delivery target by a solid 20% last year, only managing to churn out 10,595 new-build social homes instead of the planned 12,930. Minister for Housing James Browne had to face the music when the numbers were released, acknowledging the misses and promising quarterly reports to keep an eye on local authorities’ progress. It’s a bit of a mixed bag, isn’t it?
As the dust settles on the housing saga, one thing is clear – cost-rental homes are on the rise, with AHBs delivering a record number last year, topping 1,200 units. In fact, a total of 3,860 cost-rental homes have seen the light of day since this whole scheme kicked off. It’s a glimmer of hope in a sea of uncertainty, showing that maybe, just maybe, there’s a light at the end of the tunnel for those in need of affordable housing. So, who knows what the future holds for the housing market, but for now, let’s raise a glass to those lucky few who managed to snag a spot in the elusive cost-rental homes at Griffin Point. Cheers to a brighter tomorrow!
