The Hopeful: Michael Ingle and his London-born wife Rukhsana have been on Dublin City Council's Affordable waiting list for four months. No offers so far, but it's early days.
A coffee salesman, 30-year-old Michael grew up on Sandymount Green and his father is from Bath Avenue.
This is home for the Ingles but, like most young residents, they have no hope of buying in the locality. A two-bedroom apartment in Ringsend would be a dream come true if it came up.
"It would be great to get an opportunity to carry on living in the area. We're renting a cottage in Ringsend for €950 a month which is quite good, but it would be great to actually afford a place of our own," says Michael.
Rukhsana and Michael have tried the straightforward purchase route with no success, trawling endlessly through neighbouring council estates in the hope of finding something affordable.
A few years ago, friends were buying houses in East Wall for around €190,000 but prices have soared beyond their reach. "We try to put something away each month and not squander it all, though we've just bought a lovely leather sofa to take with us.
"The Affordable scheme is really well-balanced. We'll be living beside neighbours who have paid the full price."
