Housing developers are in advanced talks with a State body over plans to rezone hundreds of acres of land for affordable homes in prime locations in Dublin such as Killiney and Blackrock.
The Affordable Homes Partnership (AHP) is examining plans which would provide 3,000 affordable homes on around 370 acres of land in the greater Dublin area. Each of the 12 sites being considered must deliver a minimum of 70 per cent of affordable housing. Up to 10 per cent may include social housing. The balance of homes may be developed at the normal market rate.
Most of the land at the centre of negotiations is not zoned for residential housing. However, this could change if the AHP advises local authorities to amend their development plans and pave the way for rezoning.
The sites vary in size from one acre to 60 acres. The Blackrock and Killiney sites are around two acres in size each and would provide in excess of 100 apartments per site. Other sites are in areas such as Blanchardstown, Templeogue, Sutton, Greystones, Kildare and Palmerstown. Two of the largest sites have the potential to deliver in excess of 1,000 houses.
The AHP is to seek the support of local communities and is hopeful communities in more upmarket locations will not oppose the construction of affordable or social housing. However, residents in such areas have previously taken legal action to prevent some socially-minded developments, such as the Government's attempt to develop Broc House in Dublin 4 as a centre for asylum seekers.
AHP chief executive John O'Connor said the initiative would benefit society in general. "I would ask councillors, local authorities and the general public to lend their support to the provision of affordable homes and give their backing to this initiative. This initiative follows from part V of the Planning and Development Act where the betterment of land is shared between the private sector and the public interest."
The AHP's plans are strongly supported by Minister for Housing Noel Ahern, who said the proportion of affordable housing under construction was growing each year. Mr Ahern said almost 3,000 affordable homes were delivered last year under four separate schemes.
"All in all we hope to deliver around 4,000 affordable homes this year and 5,000 within two years. This doesn't include homes due to be delivered under the Affordable Homes Partnership," he said.
Affordable homes sell at around 25 per cent below their normal market value.
The AHP will aim to ensure affordable homes are within the mortgage price range of low to middle income earners.
Qualifying incomes can range from €25,000 to €60,000 for a single person.