300 people attend information evening on Baile Chláir affordable housing

Fri, 11 Oct 2024 09:24:00 BST

300 people attended a public information event in Baile Chláir (Claregalway) on Thursday evening in relation to the first affordable housing scheme to be developed in County Galway since 2013.

61 affordable housing units are being delivered in the Garraí Na Gaoithe development, which is the first turnkey housing scheme to include affordable housing in County Galway under the Government’s ‘Housing for All’ policy.  Located on the Lakeview Road, the housing scheme also features a crèche and is located close to local amenities in Baile Chláir.

The public information evening centred on the soon-to-be-completed first phase of the development, which comprises 17 units, including 2 two-bedroom, 9 three-bedroom and 6 four-bedroom houses.  The homes have recently been being made available for sale by Galway County Council.

Work on 16 additional homes in the second phase of the development will commence in January and will be delivered in mid-2025 with a further 28 units to be developed in the third phase later next year.

Councillor Albert Dolan, Cathaoirleach of the County of Galway commented, “Huge interest was shown in this housing scheme during the information evening, which afforded the public the opportunity to put their questions to officials from Galway County Council’s Housing Directorate and the developers.”

“There is a clear and ongoing demand for affordable housing in County Galway. I want to acknowledge Galway County Council as it seeks to significantly increase the county’s affordable housing stock over the coming months and years,” added the Cathaoirleach.

Applications will be accepted via an online application portal which will go live on 14th October 2024 at 10.00am.  Applications may be made between October 14th and November 11th, 2024.  Further information on the Garraí Na Gaoithe scheme, including the Scheme of Priority, link to the application form, and support documentation required is available at www.galway.ie/affordable.

Meanwhile, Galway County Council is extending its invitation to the public to participate in an online survey as part of its efforts to establish the level of interest and preferred locations in County Galway for affordable homes.

The survey at www.galway.ie/affordablesurvey is specifically aimed at people who feel they may be eligible to acquire or rent an affordable home from the Local Authority. The feedback gathered from the 5-minute survey will inform the delivery of Affordable Housing in the county. The information being sought includes the numbers of people/households interested in affordable housing, family size, the type of housing/accommodation required, house prices that people might be able to afford, and preferred locations.

John Waters of Galway County Council’s Housing Directorate makes a presentation at Thursday evening’s public information event in relation to the Garraí Na Gaoithe development in Baile Chláir (Claregalway). Photo Galway County Council.