1. What is the Starter Home Purchase Scheme?
The Starter Home Purchase Scheme (formerly the Local Authority Affordable Purchase Scheme) helps eligible buyers bridge the gap between their deposit and mortgage, and the full market price of a home.
In return for financial support, a percentage equity share in the property is taken by the relevant housing authority through an Affordable Dwelling Purchase Agreement.
The scheme supports individuals or households who are financially ready to buy a home but cannot afford to do so at full market value.
2. How does the ‘The Starter Home Purchase Scheme’ offered by Fingal County Council work?
Under The Starter Home Purchase Scheme, Fingal County Council are making new homes available for purchase by eligible applicants at reduced prices. In return, Fingal County Council will take a percentage equity stake in the Starter home. The Council’s equity stake will be equal to the discount of the purchase price from the full market value of the home. For example, if an eligible applicant purchases a home at a 16.8% discount, Fingal County Council will take a 16.8% equity interest in the home. The equity share required will not be less than 5% of the market value of the dwelling.
3. How is the Starter Home Purchase price calculated?
The Starter Home purchase price will be calculated by Fingal County Council based on the “purchasing power” of eligible applicants. This calculation takes into account applicants maximum mortgage capacity and the minimum price set for the home by the Council.
The purchasing power of applicants will be calculated as the combined total of:
**If you have savings above a certain amount, you may not qualify for the scheme. You can have the money to cover the deposit on the home and an additional €30,000. Anything above this is added to your purchasing power. And, if thispurchasing power goes above the maximum price set for each home, you are not eligible for the scheme.
4. How many homes are being delivered at the Golding Green Development in Kinsealy?
The Land Development Agency (LDA) and Fingal County Council are delivering 153 Starter Homes in Golding Green, Kinsealy, Co. Dublin. These homes will become available in three phases and include 50, 2 and 3-Bedroom homes in phase one together.
5. Where is the development located?
The proposed new development is located between Clarehall and Malahide, close to Dublin Airport, with excellent bus links on the Malahide Road and train connections from Portmarnock DART station. Clarehall and Northern Cross shopping and retail centres are nearby.
6. How do I apply for a new home at Golding Green, Kinsealy?
Applications will be accepted through an online application portal. On the day the application portal opens, you will first need to register on the portal and then you can proceed to complete the online application form and submit the requested documentation.
Please be aware that applications will be prioritised on a first come first served basis.
A link to the application portal along (see above) also with a list of the required documentation will be available on Fingal County Council’s website. A video guide of how to complete an application is available here.
Please refer to the questions relating to documentation and income eligibility below for more information.
7. Can I view the homes in advance of the portal opening?
Phase 1 is being sold off plan. The selling agents DNG New Homes will be able to answer any questions regarding the new homes. 01-4912600
8. Do I need to be living in Fingal to be eligible?
No, applicants living in any county in the Republic of Ireland can apply. You can also apply if you are currently living outside of Ireland, but all applicants must be legally residing in Ireland at the time of their application.
However, should Fingal County Council receive more eligible applications than there are properties, 30% of the properties will be issued to eligible applicants who have provided evidence of being or have been a resident in Fingal Area for a minimum period of 5 years in accordance with Fingal Scheme of Priority. You can find more information on it here.
1. What are the main eligibility requirements?
Applicants must:
2. What identification and right to reside documents are required?
Documentation Required for Affordable Housing Application
If employed, please provide:
If self-employed, please provide:
For Non-EU/EEA applicants
To qualify for the 30% residency rule, you must provide at least one document dated in each of the 5 years of residence in Fingal (years do not need to be consecutive).
Acceptable documents include:
1. What are the income and savings limits?
To be eligible, household income must result in a purchasing power no more than 95% of the home’s market value.Your purchasing power is the total amount you can afford to pay for a home.
It is calculated by:
The higher an applicant’s purchasing power is, the more they will contribute to the price and the less equity the Council will take.
2. Do I need mortgage approval when applying?
It is recommended applicants have mortgage approval in principle prior to applying for this Scheme. You are required to have mortgage approval at the time of the assessment of your application.
3. How is the purchase price calculated?
Your purchase price is based on income or mortgage capacity. The local authority willassume that your mortgage capacity is your gross household income x4. If your mortgage capacity is less than four times your gross income, the local authority will calculate your purchase price based on your actual mortgage capacity.
You must provide a letter from your lender which shows your maximum mortgage capacity. You must be able to show that you have the capacity to pay at least the minimum purchase price by using a combination of a mortgage, savings and Help to Buy (if applicable).
4. Can I also apply for the Help to Buy Scheme?
Yes. Eligible first-time buyers can apply for the Help to Buy Scheme for homes valued at €500,000 or less. If applying jointly, both applicants must be first-time buyers to qualify.
5. How does the Fresh Start principle work?
This principle allows certain categories of people who previouslypurchased or built a home to apply for the scheme. For example:
6. How will I know if my application has been successful?
After the online application portal closes, Fingal County Council will contact applicants based on the Scheme of Priority to complete the assessment process.
7. Where can I find more information on FCC’s Starter Homes Scheme?
Visit FCC Starter Home Scheme | Fingal County Council for further details.