Home buyers are braced to make the most of their first chance to get their hands on what have been termed the first affordable homes to be developed in County Galway since 2013 – when they hit the market towards the end of the month.

The 44 houses – affordable as defined by the parameters of the Government’s Housing for All policy – are amongst 61-housing units being delivered in the Garraí Na Gaoithe development.

Applications for the 44 units, which comprise two two-bed, 27 three-bed and 15 four-bed houses, will be accepted via an online application portal from Monday, February 24, at 10am until the deadline of St Patrick’s Day at 5pm.

A Council spokesperson revealed that all applications will be initially prioritised in order of date and time received.

A ‘drop in’ information evening on the development and the application process will take place in the Claregalway Hotel on Thursday, February 13, from 4pm to 8pm.

Located on the Lakeview Road, the Garraí Na Gaoithe scheme also features a crèche and is located close to local amenities in Baile Chláir.

Cathaoirleach of Galway County Council, Cllr Martina Kinane welcomed what she called ‘the meaningful steps being taken by the Local Authority, with the support of Elected Members, to address the housing needs of families across County Galway’.

“The Garraí Na Gaoithe homes demonstrate Galway County Council’s commitment to creating sustainable, family-friendly developments that are situated close to local amenities and help to inject new life into the communities in which they are located,” she said.

Chief Executive of Galway County Council Liam Conneally said that the first phase of the development had attracted significant interest when they were placed for sale by Galway County Council.

“More than 300 people attended a public information session while there were 116 applications for the 17 houses available in the first phase of the project within the first three days of the web portal opening. We are expecting similar, significant interest in this second phase of the development,” he said.

Galway County Council has placed the 44 affordable homes at Garraí Na Gaoithe for sale under the affordable purchase arrangements included in the Affordable Housing Act 2021 and Associated Affordable Housing Regulations.

Further Information on the scheme, including the Scheme of Priority, link to the application form, and support documentation required, is available at www.galway.ie/affordable.

Pictured at the Garraí Na Gaoithe development at Baile Chláir, County Galway l-r: John Waters of Galway County Council’s Housing Directorate; Michael Owens, Director of Housing for Galway County Council; Liam Conneally, Chief Executive of Galway County Council; Councillor Martina Kinane, Cathaoirleach of Galway County Council; and Karen O’Donnell, Galway County Council. Credit Andrew Downes, xposure.