Fingal County Council’s Affordable Housing Scheme at Dun Emer in Lusk took a major step forward today when the first sod was turned on the construction site by the Mayor of Fingal, Cllr David Healy; the Deputy Mayor of Fingal, Cllr Robert O’Donoghue; and the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage, Darragh O’Brien, TD.The Chief Executive of Fingal County Council, AnnMarie Farrelly, and the Chief Executive of Ó Cualann Cohousing Alliance, Hugh Brennan, were also present at the ceremony which signals the next phase of the 51 home project. Construction on 39 affordable homes and 12 social homes will commence in a couple of weeks. Prices will start from €166,000 for the two-bedroom apartments; from €206,000 for the three-bedroom duplexes; from €250,000 for the three-bedroom terraced; and from €258,000 for the three-bedroom semi-detached homes.The Application Portal opened on May 4 and there has been a steady stream of applications for the affordable homes. The allocation process will be based on the Scheme of Priority with each application being processed on the basis of its eligibility.Applications for the Dun Emer Affordable Home Purchase Scheme can be made via https://affordablehousing.fingal.ie and an explanatory video outlining the application process is available at http://www.fingal.ie/affordablehousing (NB: websites not accessible through this medium)The Mayor of Fingal, Cllr David Healy, said: “Affordable housing is an important element in Fingal’s efforts to tackle the housing crisis and ensure that the housing needs of our communities are met. The application figures show clearly there is a demand for affordable housing.”The Deputy Mayor of Fingal, Cllr Robert O’Donoghue, who is also Chair of the Housing Strategic Policy Committee, said: “The scheme contributes to Fingal County Council’s aim to create and sustain communities with a healthy mix of tenure and housing types gives people a realistic opportunity to own their own home.”Hugh Brennan, CEO Ó Cualann Cohousing Alliance, said: “Ó Cualann Cohousing Alliance welcomes the opportunity to work with Fingal County Council on this important scheme and we do not underestimate the challenges of delivering 39 top quality affordable homes and 12 social homes for the people of Fingal during a pandemic. We are confident that with the continued support from Fingal County Council and all the stakeholders we will do just that, and, in under two years, there will be a thriving community in Dun Emer, Lusk, County Dublin.