Affordable Housing Scheme

The Affordable Housing Scheme, in Ireland, helps eligible buyers purchase a new-build home at below market price when they cannot afford the full market value using their mortgage and deposit alone. The scheme is mainly aimed at first-time buyers and certain “Fresh Start” applicants.

Your local authority and how it works

Cavan County Council Affordable Housing Scheme is currently progressing the delivery of Affordable Housing.

Details of schemes will be publicly advertised across Cavan County Council’s website, local newspapers and on social media pages.

• Cavan County Council sells a newly built home at a reduced price;
• The difference between the market value and the price you pay is covered by Cavan County Council as an equity share in the property;
• You own and live in the home, but Cavan County Council retains a percentage interest in it

For example:

• Market value: €350,000
• Affordable purchase price: €280,000
• Discount: €70,000 (20%)

You buy the home for €280,000 and Cavan County Council holds 20% equity share. If you later sell the home, Cavan County Council is generally entitled to 20% of the sale value unless you have bought out that share beforehand.

The Affordable Housing Scheme offers an important opportunity for eligible applicants to access home ownership where it may otherwise be out of reach. However, it carries particular legal and financial implications—including aspects such as shared equity, conditions on resale, and redemption arrangements—which require careful consideration and a clear understanding before proceeding.

Affordable Housing Application - Drumlark, Cavan Town

Applications may be made between Monday 17th August at 12 noon and 12 noon on Friday 11th September. Applications must be made online only. In line with the Scheme of Priority, applications may be assessed on a first Come, First Served basis.

Eligibility

• To be eligible to apply for Affordable Housing in Fort View, Drumlark, Cavan Town, applicants must satisfy the following criteria:
• You are over 18 years of age
• You must be a First-Time Buyer* or meet the exceptions under the Fresh Start Principle
• Each person included in the application must have the right to reside indefinitely in the State
• The affordable home must be your principal place of residence
• Your household income must not exceed 85.5% of the market value of the property
• Your purchasing power must not exceed 95% of the open market value of the property
• You have a minimum deposit of 10% of the purchase price
•  It is recommended that applicants have their Mortgage Approval in Principle prior to applying for an affordable home

Gross income for the preceding 12 months should be below the max income for each property given in the table below:

No. of Units	Beds	Type	Storey	Max Household Income
10	3 bed	Semi Detached	2 Storey	78,019
2	3 bed	End Terrace	2 Storey	79,019

In addition to the above eligibility criteria, a Scheme of Priority, was approved by the Elected Members of Cavan County Council on 3rd March 2026. This outlines a methodology to be applied to determine the order of priority accorded to eligible households where the demand for such arrangements exceeds the dwellings available. The Scheme of Priority can be found at Scheme of Priority

Shared Equity

All purchasers will sign up to an Affordable Dwelling Purchase Arrangement with Cavan County Council. Cavan County Council will retain an Equity Share in the property, equal to: The difference  between the open market value of the dwelling and the Purchase Price paid by successful applicants expressed as a percentage of the Open Market Value of the dwelling.

Over time, if the Market Value of the affordable home increases, the amount owed on the value of the equity share will increase in line with prevailing market value. Cavan County Council may not seek realisation of this Equity Share for a 40-year period (with exception where a breach of the agreement occurs). However, successful affordable purchasers can choose to redeem or purchase the Equity Share in the dwelling at any time by means of one or a series of payments to Cavan County Council. The minimum amount of redemption payment is €10,000. 

Note: If you sell the property, the value of the percentage Equity Share must be repaid in full.

Please see below figures specific to Fort View, Drumlark, Cavan Town:

House Type	Maximum Household Income Limit	Minimum Purchase Price
3 Bedroom Semi Detached – 96.5 SqM	€78,019	€289,895
3 Bedroom End Terrace – 99.4 SqM	€78,019	€289,895

Application Process and Documentation

The application process will be via an online platform. The platform can be accessed on www.cavancoco.ie (link will go live on Monday 17th August). This will be available and live from 12 noon on Monday 17th August 2026 until 12 noon Friday 11th September 2026.

It should be noted that only completed applications will be considered a valid application.

There will be a number of pages to this application and documentation will be required to be uploaded. 

• Tab 1: Overview - Details of the scheme outlined
• Tab 2 : Documentation Required - Details and examples of all documentation to be submitted in support of the application
• Tab 3: Before Applying - Details on how to complete the application
• Tab 4: Data Protection Notice - Cavan County Councils privacy statement 
• Tab 5: Property Type & Finance Details - You will need to choose your property type preference and provide financial details regarding your ability 
  to purchase the property.
• Tab 6: Applicant details including income - This tab will contain the specifics of the principal applicant, name, date of birth, PPS number, Marital status, citizenship status, contact telephone number, email, current address & employment details. There will also be details to be completed for a joint applicant, if applicable.
• Tab 7: Household Members - Details regarding other household members eg. dependants
• Tab 8: Declarations - A list of declarations which you will need to agree to in order to submit your application
• Tab 9: Preview - You will be able to view your application and uploaded documentation here 
• Tab 10: Complete - To complete your application you must click on submit 

A full list of accepted types of documents can be found though the following link: Documentation

Frequently Asked Questions

• Click the following to view the Eligibility Criteria & FAQs: Affordable Housing Application Drumlark