moe

I agree with ewanduffy that this whole thing is both a sop to the builders’ lobby and a superficial attempt to look as if the government is achieving something on the issue of affordable housing. Fianna Fail trying to have it both ways and treating people like idiots? I am shocked. Shocked, I tells ya.

Jimg, I am a recent purchaser of an affordable home with Fingal Co. Co.: I bought my home at a cost of 25% below market value, which was a saving of €50,000. If I sell my home within 10 years of purchasing, I have to give 25% of the profits to the council. This percentage reduces after 10 years until 20 years after purchasing it is zero. I wouldn’t consider this restriction to be so prohibitive as to prevent me from moving in a few years should circumstances change. Yes, affordable housing can be a lottery in many ways, although currently there are plenty of houses available through Fingal Co. Co., but I and my neighbours (many of whom do not fit into the ‘young, middle class families’ category) have found it to be the only way available to own our own homes. It has worked well for us.