- 15 families and individuals move from waiting list to a home in Galway City
The Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government, Mr. Simon Coveney, T.D., visited Clúid Housing’s newest scheme in Galway city last week. Clúid, in partnership with NAMA and Galway City Council completed what was once an unfinished apartment block; producing 15 brand new high quality, affordable rented apartments.
As a result 15 families and individuals will shortly move from the waiting list to their new home. The residents had been waiting eight years on average on the social housing waiting list. Clúid has so far delivered 250 units in 2016 and aims to deliver 500 by the end of the year.
Pictured (L-R) in front of the stunning new apartment complex are: Marcella Flanagan, Clúid’s Housing Manager, Fiona Cormican, Clúid’s New Business Director, Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government, Mr. Simon Coveney, T.D., Fiona Barron, Clúid’s Chair, Brian O’Gorman, Clúid’s CEO, and Laurena Mitchell, Galway City Council’s Senior Executive Officer.
The new scheme – Cúirt Róisín in Cappagh Road, Bearna, Galway City – is a mix of two and one bed apartments in a three-story block, with a very high spec finish, energy efficient heating and a high BER. The location is excellent and gives easy access to the city as well as a range of local services.
Speaking during his visit to the scheme, Minister Coveney said: “This partnership project in Galway city is an exemplar to many other housing associations and local authorities across the country. Housing cannot be delivered without the involvement and commitment of local authorities and housing associations working together. Housing associations have developed considerable expertise in both housing provision, and community development. This has proven to complement the work of local government and is central to the successful development of communities.
“I recently met the CEOs of a number of Approved housing Bodies and I outlined my wish to see them ramping up supply so we can meet the ever increasing need for social homes.”
Clúid’s New Business Director Fiona Cormican said: “We are delighted to be transitioning past scenes of unfinished estates to what we are seeing here today in Galway city. The completion of this community not only meets demand in the area; it also benefits the wider area, bringing added value to homeowners and neighbours.
“The standard of these new homes in one of the most prestigious locations in Galway is what we should expect of good, quality housing. Our housing is indistinguishable from any other housing. Our focus is on quality and value for money and the provision of excellent homes for our tenants. By establishing a reputation for high quality housing we are able to counteract the common misconceptions that commonly arise around social housing.”
Tom Connell, Director of Services for Housing at Galway City Council said: “The City Council is delighted to work closely with the principal housing associations operating in Galway. The provision of these 15 units is a product of this working relationship. We are delighted to be associated with Clúid, and the Department of Housing, Planning and Local Government in the delivery of these units. The capital investment of €1.3m reflects the strong commitment that exists in the city to meet social housing need.”
All the units will be filled directly by families and individuals off the local authority housing waiting list. There are 2,741 households on the Galway city council housing waiting list.
The scheme is funded using a small government loan to leverage a larger bank loan from the Housing Finance Agency. This is an independent organisation originally set up to provide loans to local authorities, provides long term loans at very advantageous rates. Clúid will repay those loans using the rent paid by tenants (which is always affordable) and an availability payment from the Department of the Environment.
Clúid Housing is the largest housing association in Ireland, delivering over 5,500 high quality, affordable homes to people in housing need all over Ireland. Housing associations are independent, not-for-profit charities.
Clúid hopes to deliver a further 1,500 new homes in the next three years and is keen to partner with local authorities, developers, state agencies and financial institutions to make this happen.
