More than 1,237 social housing units have been delivered across County Galway since the beginning of 2022, a seminar organised by Galway County Council has heard.
During a breakfast briefing hosted by Galway County Council, it was revealed that 72% of the Local Authority’s targets for the period 2022-2026 have been delivered to date.
The breakfast briefing, which was held at the Raheen Woods Hotel in Athenry, focused on bringing together key stakeholders, developers and interested parties to discuss opportunities and processes related to Turnkey and Part V Social Housing projects in County Galway.
Presentations were provided by officials from the Local Authority’s Housing and Planning Departments and The Housing Agency on a range of issues, including the existing social housing demand and supply situation, the Design Manual for Quality Housing, the Pre-Planning process and the Part V of the Planning Act.
Developers were also advised of the details regarding the soon to be published Call for Expression of Interests for the delivery of social and affordable housing via Advance Purchase (Turnkey) Contracts which will be published on Galway County Council’s website.
Liam Conneally, Chief Executive of Galway County Council commented, “The briefing offered an opportunity to provide information, guidance, and support to help developers make well-informed decisions to meet housing delivery targets.”
“Furthermore, developers were urged to engage with our Housing Department, ask questions, and collaborate to ensure shared success in meeting housing targets.”
Existing social housing targets under the National Planning Framework are expected to increase with the framework currently under review, Mr Conneally added.
Galway County Council’s current target is the delivery of 1,717 social housing units in the period of 2022 – 2026.
“A key part of the breakfast briefing was to facilitate direct engagement with developers and key stakeholders on the importance of embracing a collaborative approach to boosting the supply of social housing units in County Galway,” explained Michael Owens, Director of Housing.
He continued, “The event provided insights into Galway County’s housing supply and demand and encouraged developers to focus on areas with the greatest housing need and shortages, thereby ensuring maximum impact from their projects.”
“Galway County Council’s Expressions Of Interest process for Social and Affordable Housing will be launched next week. This event was used as an opportunity to encourage developers to engage with it.”
“It was also impressed upon those present by Caitríona Lawlor from the Housing Agency about the transitional arrangements for the 10% Social and Affordable Housing requirements under Part V planning. 20% requirement on all grants of planning after 31 July 2026,” added. Mr. Owens.
