Affordable house prices described as ‘unrealistic’

Clare County Council’s guide price for affordable houses in Kilkee has been described as “false and unrealistic” by two West Clare county councillors. Affordable houses are sold at a discount on the market price to people who cannot afford to buy a house on the open market.

Councillor’s Pat Keane (Fianna Fáil) and Gabriel Keating (Fine Gael) queried the prices of three houses on sale in Kilkee in the €162,500 to €170,000 price range. The three-bed semi-detached houses are located in Circular Road, Kilkee.
“The guide prices are wrong in a lot of them,” Councillor Keane said at Monday’s Kilrush Electoral Area meeting, which was held at Clare County Council head office in Ennis.
“Prices are not realistic in Kilkee,” Councillor Keating said before pointing out that houses in Carrick-on-Shannon, Leitrim are available for €100,000.
The comments followed a presentation by Marie Commane, on behalf of Clare County Council. The presentation outlined that 990 people in Clare have expressed an interest in buying an affordable house, while 564 of these are regarded as valid applicants.
Eighteen houses are currently available under the affordable housing scheme while 163 have been allocated so far. Seventy-nine potential buyers have turned down the approved purchase of an affordable house. The reasons for refusal include the colour of some of the houses, Marie Commane told the meeting this week.
More information can be found on www.clarecoco.ie