Páirc Uí Mhuirithe in Macroom is one example of the type of social housing promised by the County Council’s plan launched yesterday.

County to receive social housing boost

Cork County Council has published a plan aiming to build 3,880 social and affordable homes across the county over the next 5 years.

Launched yesterday, the Housing Delivery Action Plan promises 3,198 social housing homes and 682 affordable homes by 2026.

The targets set out in the action plan include the delivery of 560 social homes in county Cork by the end of 2022, with project already underway in Carrigaline, Kinsale, Dunmanway, Bantry, Doneraile, Kilworth and Youghal.

The plan also aims to address the need for suitable accommodation for those excluded from the private market and who do not qualify for social housing.

Mayor of the County of Cork, Cllr Danny Collins said it is almost one and a half times what is currently needed in county Cork.

“It also aims to address the need for suitable accommodation for those excluded from the private market and who do not qualify for social housing, which is evident across the county,” said the mayor.

Chief Executive of Cork County Council, Tim Lucey added: “The delivery of social and affordable housing is a key priority of the national Housing for All policy.

Mr Lucey went on to say that Cork County Council’s success to date has been achieved through a combination of development on the council’s own land as well as positive engagement with approved housing bodies and the construction sector.

He said: “We intend to build on those relationships to maximise output and make a significant and positive impact upon the supply of social and affordable housing in Cork county.”

The Housing Action Delivery Plan outlines a commitment to deliver 560 homes in 2022, 622 in 2023, 636 in 2024, 683 in 2025, and 697 in 2026.

The plan proposes affordable homes schemes on a number of sites in county Cork where demand has been identified, with dwellings to begin to become available from as early as 2023.

Cork County Council is currently seeking expressions of interest in relation to affordable housing via an online survey. The results of the survey will inform future developments in areas where prospective affordable housing applicants have identified interest. The survey can be accessed at yourcouncil.ie

The council is also seeking to enter advance purchase arrangements with builders and developers to deliver affordable homes with assistance from the Affordable Housing Fund.