A total of 853 new homes were commenced in Waterford during the first seven months of 2026, representing a significant increase on the same period last year.

Figures released by the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage last Thursday show that commencements in Waterford increased by 605% compared with the 121 homes commenced during the first seven months of 2025.

The figures form part of a strong national increase in housing activity. Across Ireland, 18,974 new homes were commenced between January and July, up 152% on the 7,539 homes commenced during the same period last year.

The national total is the second-highest number of new homes commenced in the first seven months of a year since records began in 2014.

In Waterford, the 853 commencements comprise 616 scheme dwellings, accounting for 72% of the total. A further 169, or 20%, are apartments, while 68 homes, representing 8%, are one-off units.

The latest figures continue a broader increase in housing commencements nationally. A combined 85,723 homes were commenced across Ireland in 2024 and 2025, an increase of 43% compared with the combined total for 2022 and 2023.

Minister of State with responsibility for Local Government and Planning, John Cummins TD, welcomed the figures, while stressing that continued progress will be needed to meet the Government’s housing targets.

“It’s great to see such strong figures as we move into the second half of the year, not just here in Waterford but throughout the country,” he said.

“However, as I’ve said previously, we will not allow ourselves to get complacent. We have set ourselves ambitious targets in the Government’s Housing Action Plan, ‘Delivering Homes, Building Communities’, and we need to keep our shoulder firmly to the wheel to maintain the momentum needed to reach those targets.”

The Waterford figures come as housing supply remains a key focus both locally and nationally, with the latest commencement data indicating a substantial increase in the number of homes moving into the construction pipeline.

Despite the significant increase in housing commencements, the housing crisis remains ongoing, with demand for homes continuing to outstrip supply in many areas.

While the latest figures are a positive sign and indicate increased activity in the construction sector, much more work will be needed to ensure enough homes are completed and made available to those who need them.

Continued investment, faster delivery and sustained construction activity will be essential if the pressure on the housing market is to ease and more people are to have access to secure and affordable housing.