Over 30,000 applications received for just 135 cost rental homes delivered so far in 2026
The demand for affordable rental housing continues to significantly exceed supply.Tuath Housing said that their organisation has so far in 2026 received 30,868 applications for just 135 homes delivered to date. This is over 200 applicants per available home.In 2025, the organisation received 66,292 applications for 1,031 cost rental homes, more than 60 applicants for every home. Cost Rental is an initiative that guarantees rent prices at least 25% below local market rates.It is aimed at people who have a net household income of €66,000 or below. Tuath Housing said that the demand figures for their cost rental projects a pressure within the rental market where many households are priced out of private rents but do not qualify for social housing.They aim to deliver a further 2,530 cost rental homes across Ireland over the next 18 months,Sean O’Connor, Chief Executive of Tuath Housing, said: “The support and funding model developed by the Departments of Housing and Finance and Housing Finance Agency has been critical in getting cost rental established and scaled nationally.“However, ensuring the long-term financial viability of delivering these homes remains challenging, particularly in the current construction environment. A continued focus on reducing delivery costs across the sector — including among developers, contractors and all stakeholders — will be essential if we are to deliver cost rental at the scale that is needed.”For tenants, securing housing for a more reasonable price than is currently available, particularly in Dublin where the average monthly rent for an apartment in the city is approaching €2,700, s a lifeline.Rent prices in Dublin are now 80% higher than a decade ago, according to the latest Rental Report by Daft.ie. Some of those who do manage to get a cost rental home amid the huge demand on supply consider themselves "very lucky."Kayleigh Brown and her family are cost rental tenants. She, her partner and their two children recently secured their home in Mullingar.Kayleigh's son Jack has autism, so being able to settle down was vital for the family.“Being able to tell Jack that this is our home, we won’t have to move again was a dream come true,” Kayleigh said.“We know which schools they’ll go to as they grow up. Jack is thriving in school. Our girl Ruby plays with the local teams. This is our community now. Having a cost rental home means that we have the financial security and certainty that finally allows us to afford to get married this year. Having this home has changed everything for us.“Friends of ours live in a house exactly like ours built by the same builder in Citywest Dublin and had to get out a significant mortgage for it. We know we’re very lucky.”Want to see more of the stories you love from Dublin Live? Making us your preferred source on Google means you’ll get more of our exclusives, top stories and must-read content straight away. To add Dublin Live as a preferred source, simply click here.Join our Dublin Live breaking news service on WhatsApp. Click this link to receive your daily dose of Dublin Live content.We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don’t like our community, you can check out any time you like. If you’re curious, you can read our Privacy Notice
