Affordable houses launched in Carrick

An open house event at Sean-Ghairdíní, Mullinary Street, Carrickmacross, Co Monaghan took place last Thursday, March 5. Standing in one of the 10 affordable houses being brought to market by Monaghan Co Council in partnership with Eakin Developments, Olga McConnon, Director of Housing explained that 10 out of the 20 houses in the estate would be sold under the Affordable Housing Scheme. They comprise a mix of two-bed and three-bed homes.

Ms McConnon was impressed by the spaciousness and flawless finish, complimenting the standard of workmanship on display. “It’s brilliant because the developer is reaching those who ordinarily couldn’t buy these houses at the full market value. Monaghan County Council takes an equity share, so the cohort of people who can now get a mortgage to buy these houses is widened. We are delighted to be able to offer that to the people of Carrickmacross,” she told The Anglo-Celt.

This is the second time the council has partnered in an Affordable Housing Scheme with hopes for further such developments. The local authority undertook significant market to ascertain demand, where it was most needed and commercial viability.

“We had a successful scheme in Monaghan, at Station View. We sold 10 there. We’re confident we’ll sell 10 here [in Carrickmacross]. We need developers interested in partnering with us and meeting community need. That’s the ideal mechanism to deliver these,” Ms McConnon added.

She said that the local authority is keen to help middle-income earners onto the property ladder: “We are responding to need we know is there. We’d ask developers to support us in that. We’d be delighted to talk to anyone who is interested,” the housing chief confirmed.

Later, an information evening was held in the workhouse community venue, where four local lenders: PTSB, AIB, Bank of Ireland and Carrickmacross Credit Union, were present to give guidance to those in buying a home.

The session was led by the local authority’s Samantha Boyle, Acting Senior Executive Housing Officer and Hannah McKenna, Staff Officer who manages the Affordable Housing Scheme. She explained that affordable housing helps bridge the gap between the market value of a house and what a buyer can afford.

To qualify, applicants must have a mortgage approval based on four times their gross income and a 10% deposit. The local authority must hold a minimum 5% equity share in each affordable house and can contribute up to €75,000 per property. This amount must be repaid after 40 years or through €10,000 lump‑sum payments over time. Certain circumstances, such as selling the home, will automatically trigger repayment.

For this particular development, household income limits of around €67,000 and €77,000 apply, depending on the property type sought. The minimum sale prices vary from €240,000 to €290,000, again depending on the house type. This translations to 20-24% reductions on market values (see the advert on the Monaghan County Council pages 30-31 in this week's print edition of The Anglo-Celt).

Eligible applicants must be aged 18 or over, be first‑time buyers or meet Fresh Start criteria, such as being separated; and must reside in the property. Other terms and conditions apply.

Applications open on Monaghan.ie at 8:30am on March 20 and will be accepted on a first‑come, first‑served basis, with time‑stamped submissions. Priority will be given to those living or working in the Carrickmacross‑Castleblayney Municipal District. House sales are expected to begin in April.

Monaghan Co Council Cathaoirleach PJ O’Hanlon (FF) and Cllr Colm Carthy (SF) assured those gathered at the information event that more affordable housing would follow. Fine Gael Cllr Peter Conlon thanked the Department of Housing and the Government for their support.

For more details contact Hannah at: affordablehousing@monahancoco.ie