The Land Development Agency, in partnership with Ballymore and Lydon, has started construction on a total of 1,162 homes in north County Dublin.
The sod was turned by Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage James Browne on the two new housing developments - Hampton Demesne, formerly Castlelands in Balbriggan, and Priory Fields, formerly Hacketstown, in Skerries.
The Hampton Demesne development, which will be built by Ballymore, includes 817 Affordable Purchase, Cost Rental and social homes.
They will include one, two and three-bed apartments; two, three, four-bed houses and three-bed duplexes.
Meanwhile, Priory Fields will deliver 345 affordable homes, including 101 social, 117 cost rental and 127 affordable purchase homes.
The first phase of 176 homes, being built by Lydon, consists of one, two, and three-bed apartments, ranging in height from two to four storeys. The three-bed houses will be delivered in Phase 2.
The LDA said that once completed, the affordable purchase homes will be made available to eligible buyers through the Local Authority Affordable Purchase scheme.
Minister James Browne said the Government's top priority is to get homes built faster for people who need them.
"I want people to be access suitable houses in which they can grow up and grow old as part of a community," he said.
"The Land Development Agency is the State's affordable housing delivery body, seriously ramping up in the last year in particular. As Minister, I want to ensure it has the necessary resources to fulfil its remit and to deliver at pace and at scale the high quality homes we need," he added.
John Coleman, chief executive of the Land Development Agency, said the two new developments mark a major delivery milestone in the provision of affordable housing.
"These sites are superbly located and will enhance the existing communities in Balbriggan and Skerries. When these developments come to fruition, the homes and amenities will foster lasting communities and generate a positive social impact for new and existing residents," he stated.
AnnMarie Farrelly, chief executive of Fingal County Council, said the quality and mixed tenure of these developments is exactly what is needed in both communities.
"The commitment to societal impact from all partners will ensure that these new developments, including the amenities, facilities and infrastructure being developed, will not just integrate, but add tremendously to the local communities in Skerries and Balbriggan," she said.
