The new Local Authority Home Loan Scheme will make home ownership more accessible especially for single people or those who are divorced or separated, a Dublin South-West Fine Gael Cllr. has said.
Cllr. Brian Lawlor has welcomed the introduction of the government’s new local authority issued loan which will build on the success of the Rebuilding Ireland Home Loan with two key changes.
“The new Local Authority Home Loan for South Dublin County Council will replace the existing Rebuilding Ireland Home Loan and has two major changes to the qualifying criteria,” said Cllr. Lawlor.
“Firstly, the income ceiling for a single applicant has risen from €50,000 to €65,000 in South Dublin County where the scheme’s house price limit is €320,000 so this will mean even more single applicants will be eligible to apply which I know many people in the constituency will really welcome.”
Cllr. Lawlor said, “I know for a lot of single people in Dublin South-West, the prospect of ever owning their own home feels like a pipe dream and I think expanding the income ceiling for single applicants will be a real help.
“We are also introducing a ‘Fresh Start’ principle which means that people who are divorced or separated and no longer have any financial interest in the family home will be eligible to apply for an LAHL in South Dublin.
“And this principle also applies to people who have undergone personal insolvency/bankruptcy who will now be eligible to apply for the Local Authority Home Loan,” added Cllr. Lawlor.
“The Local Authority Home Loan scheme can be used for the purchase of new or second-hand residential properties or for self-builds and can also be used to purchase a home through the Tenant Purchase and Affordable Housing Schemes.
“The maximum market value of a property that can be purchased or self-built in South Dublin is €320,000, with the loan providing up to 90% of the market value.
“I think the Local Authority Home Loan will be of huge help to those living in places like Firhouse, Tallaght and Knocklyon who are looking to get on the property ladder, and I would encourage anyone who is interested in applying to go to localauthorityhomeloan.ie to begin their application,” concluded Cllr. Lawlor.
