"Smiles" On Stage, Anger Off-Camera: Some Kildare Locals Locked Out Of "Affordable" Housing Scheme

Friday, 21 November 2025 12:32

By Martin Osborne - Head Of News @kfmradio

The news has come as cold comfort for some locals who did not qualify for the first batch launched yesterday at Barracksfield West in Naas because those homes exceed the local authority home loan scheme cap of €360,000.

Kfm News has learned that some three-bedroom homes in phase two of a so-called affordable housing scheme in Naas will be priced within the €360,000 cap next year.

Prices for affordable four-bedroom homes in Clonburris near Clondalkin were successfully delivered for €355,000 under the affordable housing scheme.

The prices of homes at Barracksfield West were set by Kildare County Council and the Land Development Agency, with the Department of Housing shifting responsibility on to Kildare County Council.

Once a property hits €360,000 or above, the loan is blocked and locals cannot use their own savings to top it up, meaning they are effectively exlcuded from a loan that was supposed to support them.

Housing Minister James Browne committed to reviewing the scheme this year but when questioned by Kfm News yesterday, he could not confirm a definitive timeline as to when a review would be published.

Independent Ireland Cllr Bill Clear said it was “all smiles” yesterday but that councillors are furious behind the scenes.

He questioned why the same mistakes from Lattin Place on Rathasker Road have been repeated, and he described locals being locked out of the scheme as “a scandal”.

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