Naas Mother’s Dream Of Buying An "Affordable" Home Dashed As State Loan Scheme Falls Short

Tuesday, 3 June 2025 14:28

By Martin Osborne

Despite Sandra and her husband, who both work full time, being eligible for the local authority loan, they’re now effectively locked out of these homes - which are meant to help families like theirs buy a place of their own.

A working mother of two in Naas was one of many hopeful buyers shut out of Kildare’s so-called affordable housing market - because some of the homes were priced just above what the State allows under its local authority loan scheme.

Eight new houses in the Lattin Place development on Rathasker Road went up for sale last week, with prices ranging from €295,000 to €370,000.

The three-bedroom homes - the type Sandra Rowe's family would need - start at €365,000, which is €5,000 over the maximum loan threshold allowed in Kildare under the State-backed mortgage scheme.

They currently rent in Naas with their two children, aged 12 and 9, but are increasingly worried about their long-term future.

A similar scheme is set to be launched at Devoy Barracks but Sandra told Kfm she is not hopeful about it.

Also speaking to Kfm, Kildare North Fine Gael TD Joe Neville said he has met the Housing Minister James Browne and members of the Land Development Agency to find out if the next batch of so-called affordable homes will actually be affordable for locals.

However, Kfm originally reported that review of the local authority home loan scheme will not be conducted until near the end of this year.

Deputy Neville said it is an issue he will continue to focus on.

You can listen to the full interview below that aired on Kildare Today this morning.

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