A fresh housing opportunity is opening up in South Dublin, with a new affordable home scheme set to give more buyers a realistic route onto the property ladder. In welcome Dublin news for prospective homeowners, Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council has unveiled a new Affordable Purchase Scheme at St. Laurence’s Park in Stillorgan.
The development will provide 40 newly built one-bedroom apartments aimed at eligible first-time buyers and Fresh Start applicants. Prices begin at €255,000, with the council using the Affordable Purchase Scheme model to bridge the gap between market prices and what buyers can reasonably borrow.
Affordable homes arrive in the heart of Stillorgan
The St. Laurence’s Park project is positioned in a highly sought-after part of South Dublin, placing future residents within easy reach of Stillorgan Village, local shops, cafés and restaurants. Dundrum, Blackrock and Dún Laoghaire are also nearby, making the location especially attractive for commuters and those seeking established amenities.
For readers following Dublin news and Dublin business trends, this launch also reflects a wider push to make urban living more accessible in well-connected areas. The apartments have been designed with sustainability, accessibility and everyday comfort in mind, while the wider scheme includes major community benefits.
- 40 affordable one-bedroom apartments
- Part of a wider 88-home development
- 48 additional social homes included in the overall scheme
- New two-storey library and community spaces planned
- Starting price from €255,000
How the Affordable Purchase Scheme works
Under the scheme, buyers can purchase a newly built home at a reduced upfront cost. The local authority provides an equity contribution of between 10% and 40%, lowering the amount a purchaser needs to finance through a mortgage. In exchange, the council keeps an equivalent equity stake in the home, which can be repaid over time if the owner chooses.
This model is expected to appeal strongly to applicants who may have stable incomes but still struggle to buy on the open market. It also adds another important layer to ongoing Dublin news coverage around housing affordability and access to homeownership.
Key dates for applicants
The online application portal is scheduled to open on Wednesday, 12 August at 12pm. Before then, DLR housing staff will hold two public drop-in information sessions where potential applicants can ask questions and review eligibility details.
- 8 July, 4pm–8pm, County Hall, Dún Laoghaire
- 15 July, 4pm–8pm, Talbot Hotel Stillorgan
These sessions are expected to help buyers better understand the process, documentation and financial structure of the scheme.
Read more: latest Dublin news updates and Ireland housing and public policy coverage.
Why this scheme matters for South Dublin
Local officials say the project is about more than simply adding homes. It is also intended to support long-term, inclusive community growth in a transport-linked neighbourhood. The area offers direct access to the N11, connections to the M50, regular bus services, Aircoach routes to Dublin Airport and solid cycling infrastructure.
The inclusion of a new library and shared community space strengthens the broader vision behind the development. In practical terms, this means residents are not just buying into a home, but into a growing local hub with public amenities close by.
For anyone tracking Dublin business, infrastructure and residential development, St. Laurence’s Park is a strong example of how council-led delivery can shape both housing supply and local quality of life.
Explore more: South Dublin property and community stories and design, lifestyle and modern living insights.
What buyers should take away
This latest Dublin news story highlights a meaningful opportunity for eligible buyers who have been priced out of many parts of the capital. With 40 new apartments, competitive starting prices and a structured affordability mechanism, the St. Laurence’s Park scheme could make homeownership possible for more people in one of South Dublin’s best-connected suburbs.
As Dublin news continues to focus on affordability, supply and sustainable growth, this Stillorgan launch stands out as a practical step toward expanding access to secure, high-quality housing.
