FG councillor welcomes progress on building of homes in Sligo

PROGRESS on the building of new homes has been acclaimed by Cllr Tom Fox.

The Fine Gael councillor stated that 1293 new homes have been built since 2016 with 263 being completed within the past 12 months.

Fox insisted that this was a major boost in helping many in the County make a new start in life.

He said: “32,695 new homes were built around Ireland last year, representing an increase of 10 per cent from 2022. In October, November and December of last year, over 10,000 new homes were completed, which was an increase of 13 per cent on 2022.

“The signs of this accelerated progress to deliver homes is evident here in County Sligo and the 263 new homes built in 2023 represent a new start and a bright future for those individuals, couples and families who now live in them.

“Fine Gael wants to make sure people can own their own home across County Sligo.

“This is the highest level of home building in 15 years. Under Fine Gael, home building has increased from 5,000 per year to almost 33,000 – more than a six fold increase. 500 first time buyers are drawing down their mortgage each week – this is the highest level of first time buyer activity in 15 years since the economic crash.

“Since Fine Gael launched the Rebuilding Ireland Action Plan in 2016, we’ve seen 1293 new homes built in County Sligo. In addition to the increased number of homes being built, in 2017, the Help to Buy scheme was launched, providing first time buyers with up to €30,000 in the form of an income tax rebate towards the cost of a deposit. This was then further expanded and enhanced in 2020.

“The government launched its ambitious Housing for All plan in 2021 and the following year, in 2022, the First Home Scheme was launched, bridging the gap for eligible purchasers between their deposit and mortgage, and the price of their new home. These are just two of several schemes introduced by government to boost home ownership, and alone they have helped 44,877 individuals and families get on the property ladder.

“These housing completion figures demonstrate what we can see happening around us in County Sligo, that more houses are coming on the market. But behind these figures are the people, individuals, couples and families, who now own their own homes.

“Fine Gael and the government’s Housing for All plan is working and momentum will increase again this year, when more people will be given the opportunity to become homeowners.”