PRESS RELEASE
Wednesday, 26th February 2014
New Approach to Social Housing Unveiled by Fold Ireland
A new approach to providing social housing for older people – combining private finance and local authority support – was unveiled today (26.02.14) by the housing association Fold Ireland at a sod-turning ceremony for a housing project in Glasnevin, Dublin.
At the ceremony, Fold outlined how the organisation was able to access private finance from Bank of Ireland after Dublin City Council transferred ownership of the Glasnevin housing project to Fold.
The project, which provided homes for 76 older people, had been built by Dublin City Council in 1969, and managed by the Council since then. Now, with the private finance from Bank of Ireland, Fold is undertaking a complete regeneration of the project, which will see it transformed to provide 39 state-of-the-art housing units for elderly couples and individuals.
Speaking in Glasnevin today, Fold’s Development Manager Tina Donaghy, said: “The economic downturn has made it extremely difficult for local authorities to meet the demand that exists for social housing. Currently there are a total of 242 applicants on the Older Persons Waiting List seeking accommodation in Area E which includes Cabra, Finglas, Glasnevin, Santry.
“As a result, housing associations such as Fold are working with local councils and the Department of the Environment to develop innovative solutions to meet social housing needs. One such solution is for local authorities to transfer ownership of housing projects to associations that can then leverage the projects’ existing value to access private funds. This is the approach we have taken to regenerating this facility in Glasnevin.
“This project represents a shift in how social housing will be funded in Ireland in the future and we are grateful that Dublin City Council had the confidence in us to transfer the site to Fold Ireland, which allowed us to subsequently secure private finance from Bank of Ireland. We feel this represents a way forward for the voluntary housing sector and this approach could be replicated with other local authorities throughout the country.”
The new project in Glasnevin is located at Ballygall Road East. It will provide 38 one bed and one two bed modern and fully accessible apartments with an adjoining community centre. It is expected that the first two blocks with eight units in each will be available in June 2014. The remaining blocks will be complete by December 2014.
Residents
Patricia O’Brien (81) is one of ten residents living in the last remaining block on the site and expects to move into her new apartment in June 2014.
Speaking at the launch, Mrs. O’Brien, said, “I’ve never gotten used to living in a bedsit with my bed in the sitting room despite having lived here for 14 years. The new apartment will mean the world to me. I can’t wait to have a bedroom and home again. I’ve already put my deposit down on a proper double bed for the new apartment.
“Ballygall Road always had a strong community network and in a few months we’ll have great new apartments as well as a new community centre. All the residents are just like a happy family and I’m looking forward to having lots of people around again when the renovations are complete.”
Housing Minister
Jan O’Sullivan TD, Minister of State for Housing, was present at the launch of the Fold Ireland project in Glasnevin. Labour Councillor for the Cabra/Glasnevin ward on Dublin City Council, Áine Clancy was also in attendance, representing the Lord Mayor of Dublin.
Ends
Contact: Ciara Murphy / Martina Quinn / DHR Communications, Tel: 01 4200580 / 087-9626231 / 087-6522033
Notes to editor:
1. About FOLD Ireland
FOLD Ireland has provided apartments and houses for older people and families in the greater Dublin area since 2001. In addition, the organisation provides supported housing with 24 hour care for frail and older people. FOLD was originally synonymous with housing and support for older people with dementia.
Fold Ireland began operations with two state-of-the-art housing-with-care Schemes located at Anam Cara, Glasnevin, and Cherryfields, Hartstown, Dublin, which accommodate 56 residents in each. In addition, Fold provide sheltered housing at The Arena Complex, Tallaght; Farmleigh Woods, Castleknock; The Courtyard, Terenure and Rathborne, Ashtown. Fold Ireland have also taken on two leased developments in partnership with Fingal County Council, at Ongar and Castaheany, Dublin 15.
2. About Ballygall Road East Development
FOLD Ireland originally received planning permission in 2008 to build 83 new build units on two thirds of the site. The accommodation was to provide a high dependency living unit with associated communal living, training and staff facilities. However, the economic downturn resulted in the original plan not going ahead due to lack of funding.
FOLD Ireland revisited the proposal and considered alternatives to regenerate the site. In partnership with Dublin City Council (DCC), the regeneration project was funded with private finance from Bank of Ireland as well as CALF (Capital Advance Leasing Facility) funding from the Department of Environment. Remarkably, DCC transferred the site to FOLD Ireland before private finance was finalised which allowed the organisation to use the site to provide the security required by Bank of Ireland.
The project provides 38 one bed and one two bed modern and fully accessible apartments with an adjoining community centre. It is expected that the first two blocks with eight units in each will be available in June 2014. The remaining blocks will be complete by December 2014. Francis Haughey Construction is the contractor.
