Lifford Stranorlar MD has 398 approved applicants on Social Housing waiting list

The gross number of approved applicants on the Social Housing waiting list within the Lifford Stranorlar Municipal District (MD) now stands at 398, councillors were told at their April MD meeting.

Included in this are 32 households who are currently tenants with Donegal County Council and who are approved for a transfer to alternative accommodation/location.

It was also revealed that a turnkey proposal of 24 housing units at Convoy has commenced on site and a further turnkey proposal for 14 housing units at Donegal Road, Ballybofey has now moved to contract stage. 

As at March 27 2024, Lifford-Stranorlar MD is providing Social Housing Support in the form of the Housing Assistance Payment to 278 households, which equates to approximately 17% of Donegal’s active tenancies on this Scheme.

The Council has a current county-wide turnkey acquisition process open, which will remain open until September 30 2026. 

The process has been opened to help address social housing needs across the county. Proposals are being accepted for 1, 2, 3 & 4 bedroom housing units in towns or villages throughout the county, on lands suitable for housing purposes.

Council staff are currently engaging with a number of developers in the Lifford Stranorlar MD. 

Separately, a turnkey proposal of 24 housing units at Convoy has commenced on site. 

The development consists of two, 4-bedroom units, six 3-bedroom units and 16, 2-bedroom units, which is reflective of the need for Convoy. The development is being completed by Meadowfield Development Ltd.

In addition, a turnkey proposal for 14 housing units at Donegal Road, Ballybofey has now moved to contract stage. Works will commence on site upon signing of contracts and is forecasted for commencement by the end of June 2024.

The Council is planning to develop further projects on existing landbank in various locations throughout the county. 

Preliminary designs are underway for a number of these sites and are informed by the pertaining approved social housing need at local level.

In parallel with the construction and turnkey programmes outlined above, the Council is actively pursuing the acquisition of lands suitable for housing purposes, in towns and villages where there is currently not a social housing solution available / shortfall.

In addition to the current expression of interest advertisement on the Councils’ website for parcels of land, derelict sites / buildings with the potential to deliver social housing, the Council is also separately identifying parcels of land with social housing potential in areas of need.

A number of suitable parcels of land have been identified across the Lifford-Stranorlar MD and engagement / negotiations are ongoing directly with landowners / agents to acquire these lands. 

In this regard the Council has currently had two offers accepted, subject to contract, in Ballybofey and Stranorlar.