Councillors keen to see more affordable housing delivery across Westmeath
Affordable housing delivery across Westmeath came under scrutiny at the February meeting of Westmeath County Council, as councillors sought greater clarity on timelines, geographic spread and future supply.
Cllr Aengus O’Rourke complained that Athlone appeared to be lagging behind, and Cllr Ken Glynn contended that Mullingar is doing even worse.
Cllr Aengus O’Rourke said the figures showed significantly higher numbers of affordable homes delivered or in progress in Moate, Kilbeggan, Castlepollard and Mullingar compared to Athlone.
“Our numbers are very low in terms of what we have provided, at 37,” he said, asking if there was a plan to catch up.
Cllr Ken Glynn supported the call for clarity, noting that while 37 affordable units were under way in Athlone, Mullingar had yet to see any delivered under the scheme.
He asked for a timeframe for advertising the expected scheme at Harbour Meadows.
In response, director of housing Jackie Finney said the affordable housing model currently operates on a developer-led basis, and the council engage directly with developers to explore opportunities to include affordable and cost rental units within new schemes.
She confirmed that more than 120 affordable homes have been delivered to date across the county, and 28 are under way in Mullingar and Kilbeggan. In Athlone, 37 cost rental units are in progress, including seven recently advertised at Dún na Rí, which attracted significant demand.
In addition, cost rental homes are progressing in partnership with approved housing bodies (AHBs), and strong levels of demand are reported where schemes have been advertised.
Ms Finney said the council continue to work with developers and housing bodies to maximise delivery opportunities and have issued letters of support for further cost rental projects, subject to department approval.
She added that where new developments are proposed, the council proactively discuss the inclusion of affordable or cost rental options as part of the overall housing mix.
Delays in Mullingar
During the same meeting, Cllr Mick Dollard was critical of the pace of delivery on certain approved housing body (AHB) schemes in Mullingar.
He specifically referenced a Respond scheme in Charlestown and a Clúid development at Ashe Road, stating that the Ashe Road project had been ongoing for “five or six years”.
The delays were “unacceptable”, he said.
“During that time, Westmeath County Council has constructed three or four new housing schemes,” he stated.
Cllr Dollard also raised concerns about two additional schemes, those at St George’s Cottages and the ‘Cornmill’ (Canal Avenue). He said that while targets and projected completion dates were listed, he could see no sign of commencement on the ground.
Responding, Ms Finney explained that while the council work closely with AHBs and assesses applications for support, the schemes in question are developed and led by the AHBs themselves.
Cost rental projects, she said, are generally brought forward by housing bodies, and the role of the council is to assess proposals, indicate support to the department where appropriate, and process nominations or allocations once units are delivered.
She explained that the council do not lead those developments directly but confirmed that they continue to engage with housing bodies and developers to progress schemes.