Public invited to share their views on affordable housing in Waterford 

Waterford City and County Council is inviting people to register their interest to help determine the level of demand for affordable housing throughout Waterford city and county.

The council says that information collected from the online survey will help identify local housing needs and inform the planning of future affordable housing schemes to include Affordable Purchase Schemes, Cost Rental Schemes and the Ready to Build Scheme.

 The Local Authority Affordable Purchase Scheme makes homes available at a reduced price for First Time Buyers and Fresh Start applicants, whose combined mortgage and deposit will not cover the market price of the newly built home.  

The local authority takes a percentage equity share in the home equal to the difference between the open market value of the home and the reduced price paid.

This means that if the purchaser buys a home at a 20% reduction on the open market value, the local authority will have a 20% equity share in the home.

Mayor of Waterford City and County, Cllr. Seamus Ryan welcomed the survey saying: “The premise of this survey is to provide valuable and practical insights into future affordable housing developments throughout Waterford, that will truly meet the demands of those eligible to apply.”   

Waterford City and County Council has already made homes available under the Affordable Purchase Scheme at Deerpark in Williamstown, Summerfields in Kilbarry and The Courtyard in Tramore, and will be seeking to provide additional homes in the future. 

The average price of a home in Waterford is 295,000 euros, which is a 7.3% increase from 2024.

 The Council has also made cost-rental homes available at Gort na hInse, Ballinaneasagh.

Cost Rental Homes rents are set at least 25% below market rates, based on the costs of building, managing, and maintaining the properties.

The Affordable Housing survey findings will allow the Council to make informed decisions about the delivery, design and location of future affordable housing schemes and eligibility requirements. 

All data submitted will be treated confidentially and used solely for the purpose of determining how best to deliver affordable housing.    

The survey is now open online until Tuesday, October 21 , 2025, and can be accessed via Waterford City and County Council’s website at www.waterfordcouncil.ie   

Queries in relation to Affordable Housing can be emailed to affordablehomes@waterfordcouncil.ie.