The council’s affordable home schemes have helped hundreds to get on the property ladder
10:27, 01 Dec 2025Updated 10:27, 01 Dec 2025
An affordable housing scheme in Cork city(Image: Cork City Council)
As house prices across the State continue to increase, it’s tough for first-time buyers to get a foot on the property ladder without the help of dedicated schemes. A home that hits the market at a fairly modest starting price can end up selling for tens of thousands more, thanks to constant bidding wars due to demand far outstripping supply.
For those stuck in these situations, the council’s affordable housing schemes offer a way out by selling new-build properties at a fixed price, which is set at least 20% below the market rate for the area.
The council then takes an ownership stake in the property equal to the difference between the fair market value and the purchase price, which the owner will repay at a later date. In Cork city, the owner has 40 years to buy the council out of its share, which can be done all at once or in stages.
Cork City Council built just over 400 homes across 2025, helping hundreds of individuals, couples and families get on the property ladder for the first time. These include a set of €215k homes in Youghal, just a short walk from the beach, and a number of family homes just outside Cork city, which were available from as little as €320k.
A spokesperson for the council said: “We have delivered just over 400 affordable homes for the people of Cork, highlighting our commitment to delivering high-quality housing in Cork City to meet housing demand.
“Ten schemes have been delivered citywide in estates like Danesfort in Whites Cross, Heathfield in Ballincollig, Seaberry in Grange, and Kileens, with more projects such as Glenmore Heights in Lehenaghmore nearing completion.”
The council isn’t slowing down anytime soon, and looking ahead to 2026/27, it has confirmed plans to deliver a 155-house scheme in Lehenaghmore, comprising 88 affordable homes, with the remaining units designated as social homes. Another scheme along the Old Mallow Road will provide 48 homes for the area.
There are also some larger, more ambitious projects in the pipeline, with the Land Development Agency revealing plans for 340 brand new affordable homes in Wilton. Construction on the project is expected to begin in 2027, with the first batch of homes scheduled for delivery in 2029.
The state’s affordable housing delivery body secured planning permission in August for the development of 345 new homes, including one, two and three-bed apartments and townhouses. The units will be made available for social housing and under Cost Rental and Affordable Purchase schemes.
You can find out more about Cork City Council’s affordable housing scheme here.