Initiated in 2003, the awards showcase the range of high quality social housing projects that have been developed buy housing associations and local authorities in recent years which have contributed significantly to creating more stable and sustainable communities.
The joint winners of the 2007 Community Housing Award are Dun Laoghaire Rathdown County Council in partnership with Crosscare for their development at Bentley House and Waterford City Council for their housing scheme at Mount Sion Crescent.
Bentley House: Dun Laoghaire Rathdown County Council in partnership with Crosscare
Bentley House consists of 13 apartments (6 one-bed apartments and 7 two-bed apartments) which provide transitional housing for Crosscare’s homeless tenants as well as a small amount of dormitory style emergency accommodation.
It is located very close to the centre of Dun Laoghaire which is a hive of activity all year round. The building is adjacent to other private apartments and can not be distinguished as social housing from the outside.
The aesthetics of the design gives the tenants a sense of place and the interior space and views of the harbour add to the tenants’ quality of life. Interior and exterior finishes are high quality and low maintenance throughout the building.
The architect for this project was Dr. Eugene Gribbin, Senior Architect with Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council.
Mount Sion Crescent: Waterford City Council
Mount Sion Crescent is located on the site of Waterford Infantry Barracks and care was taken to preserve as many of the original features while building high-quality modern housing.
A state of the art community facility has been established in the old barracks building while a variety of general needs housing has been built around the old military parade ground.
The scheme consists of 9 three-bed houses, 14 two-bed two-storey houses, 2 two-bed apartments and 2 two-bed terraced bungalows as well as a house for a tenant with special needs.
The architect for this housing scheme was Sean Mc Loughlin, Waterford City Council.
Full details on all the 2007 winners and entries can be downloaded here.