Karla Browne
The Government has described the first quarter of 2026 as a strong start for affordable housing, with more than 2,000 affordable housing supports delivered nationally, an increase of more than 76% on Q1 2025. But how is County Roscommon doing?
The First Home Scheme has not been particularly active in Roscommon, with just one support drawn down. At the same time last year, Roscommon had eight. Nationally, 442 supports have been drawn down, representing a 63% increase compared to Q1 2025.
Compared to other counties in Connacht, however, Roscommon’s figure is not too different. Leitrim has recorded none so far, while Sligo has one. Galway is also lower than much of the country, with 12.
For Roscommon, the Vacant Property Refurbishment Grant is where we see the most activity. In Q1, 24 grants were paid in Roscommon, compared with 816 nationally. In Q1 2025, 22 grants were paid in the county. Compared with the rest of Connacht, Roscommon currently has the second-highest figure, behind Sligo on 29.
The remaining affordable housing supports have no recorded delivery in Roscommon, which also appears to be the case across much of Connacht.
On the headline figures, the picture for Roscommon is mixed. While uptake of the First Home Scheme remains low and no delivery was recorded under some other affordable housing programmes, the county compares relatively strongly with its Connacht neighbours for the Vacant Property Refurbishment Grant.
The broader test will be whether the strong national increase in affordable housing supports translates into increased housing opportunities for people in Roscommon over the remainder of 2026.
