Applications now live for Westmeath's first cost-rental properties

Applications are now live for Westmeath's first cost-rental housing development.

Housing body Tuath has opened applications for 12 two-bed A-rated cost rental houses in the Farranshock Park development in Mullingar, with rent set at 32 per cent below local market rents.

In total, the government has allocated €7.8m from its Affordable Housing Fund for Tuath to provide 46 cost rental homes in Farranshock Park, which is located on the C-Link.

It is believed that 21 of the 46 homes are to be delivered before the end of the year with the remaining 25 in quarter three next year.

The homes will be two and three beds and the cost rental rates will begin at €1,025 per month, which is approximately thirty percent less than the current market rates.

To be eligible to apply for one of these homes you must be able to prove that your net household income is below €59,000 per annum, that you are not in receipt of any social housing supports, that you do not own a property, that your household size matches the size of the property advertised, and that you can afford to pay the cost rent for the home.

Deputy Robert Troy says that the delivery of Westmeath's first cost rental homes is “very positive news”.

“It demonstrates the government's commitment to supporting and tackling the housing challenges. It is multi-faceted. We need to build more houses, we need to build social houses, affordable houses and cost rental houses to cover all people who face housing challenges.

“When you see the houses being built around Mullingar you can see that progress is being made. A corner has been turned and I look forward to this issue being addressed further in the years ahead.”

To apply click here