What is the Affordable Purchase Scheme?

The local authority Affordable Purchase Scheme helps buyers by offering an equity facility. Under the scheme, you’ll enter into an Affordable Dwelling Purchase Agreement (ADPA) with South Dublin County Council, which means the Council will own a small share of your home.

Put simply, it means that if you buy a home at Foothills at a 20% reduction on the open market value, SDCC will have a 20% equity share in your home. You can buy out this equity share any time you wish – but there is no obligation to do so. If you choose not to redeem the equity share while living in the home, SDCC will recover its share when the property is sold or transferred.

Who can use the Affordable Purchase Scheme to buy a home at Foothills?

The Affordable Purchase Scheme is designed for households that when their deposit is combined with the maximum mortgage they’ve been approved for, they still cannot afford a home at its full market price.

Key criteria for the scheme

You must satisfy the following criteria:

  1. 1. Be over 18 years of age
  2. 2. Be a First Time Buyer or meet the exceptions under the Fresh Start Principle – or own a dwelling which is too small to suit the accommodation needs of your household.
  3. 3. Your income must be below a certain level, which is calculated by multiplying your gross annual income by 4. This is your ‘purchasing power’.
  4. 4. Each person in the application must have the right to reside indefinitely in Ireland.
  5. 5. You must purchase the home to live in it yourself.
  6. 6. The minimum equity stake from SDCC that you need is 5%.
  7. 7. You must have a minimum deposit of 10% of the affordable purchase price.

SDCC’s Scheme of Priority ensures that 30% of the affordable homes available to purchase are reserved for applicants who live or have lived in the SDCC administrative area for a minimum of five years

How to buy an affordable home step by step...

Step 1

Apply for Mortgage Approval in Principle from an approved lender or Local Authority Home Loan

Step 2

Affordable Homes will be advertised on www.sdcc.ie and in the local press

Step 3

Check your eligibility for the Help to Buy Scheme (HTBS)

Step 4

Apply for affordable purchase scheme when the portal opens, including all relevant documentation

Step 5

SDCC will assess applications in the order in which they are received and liaise with eligible applicants.

Step 6

SDCC will advise the sales agent to contact you to choose from available properties based on your eligibility

Step 7

SDCC will calculate the Equity Share based on your purchasing power

Step 8

Pay your booking deposit to the sales agent and appoint a solicitor to manage the conveyancing

Step 9

Apply for formal loan offer from your lender and forward a copy to SDCC

Step 10

Contract of sale and Affordable Dwelling Purchase Agreement (ADPA) will now be issued to your solicitor

Step 11

Arrange house and mortgage protection insurance

Step 12

Sign contract of sale and ADPA with your solicitor

Step 13

Solicitor returns signed contract of sale and ADP

Step 14

Requisition of funds (if applicable) from SDCC, lender and HTBS. Your purchase can now proceed to close following receipt of HTBS funds if applicable and draw down of lender funds

Step 15

Congratulations, you’re a homeowner.

How do I apply for an affordable home?

Applications for an Affordable Home at Foothills can only be done via the South Dublin County Council online portal, when it opens.

In the portal, you will be asked to submit relevant documentation. This includes items like a mortgage Approval in Principal letter, photo ID, proof of address, evidence of your First Time Buyer or Fresh Start status, proof of your right to reside in Ireland and more.

Learn More

Tips for Applying for an Affordable Home at Foothills

You must satisfy the following criteria:


First you should confirm your eligibility for the scheme, by checking if you meet the
criteria above.

Gather all the required documents in advance, as some may take time to obtain. For
example, the Approval in Principle (AIP) letter from your mortgage provider can take
several days or weeks to secure. Other documents may include proof of income,
identification, and any supporting paperwork requested by South Dublin County
Council.

Soon, we will announce the date that the application portal for Affordable Homes at
Foothills will open. From that date you will be able to apply via South Dublin County
Council. The portal will remain open for 3 weeks and you must submit your
application before the closing date.

Foothills

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