– Social Housing Projects Showcased at Irish Architectural Archive –
Wednesday 15th November 2017
Celebrating the 2017 Community Housing Award Winners in Dublin today, Donal McManus, Chief Executive of the Irish Council for Social Housing (ICSH) said that record entries for this year’s awards represent almost 900 homes, and at least 2000 fewer individuals on the social housing waiting list.
Speaking at the event in the Irish Architectural Archive Dublin, Dr McManus said, “The entries to this year’s awards are a snapshot of the new social housing projects being delivered by housing associations, local authorities and housing cooperatives across the country. The social housing sector is not about profit. So we build the type of housing our tenants want and need, and the sector is responding to Ireland’s changing demographics by delivering bespoke new and refurbished housing solutions for older people, people with disabilities and families.”
Commenting on housing association output over the course of Rebuilding Ireland, Dr McManus said: “We have over 4,500 homes in the development pipeline, and if you look at state lending to housing associations, almost €132 million has been approved in 2017 for 2271 social housing units. Compare this to just over €3 million for 59 units in 2011. Housing associations are focused on increasing the supply of homes to respond to the growing housing and homelessness crisis, and are committed to providing in excess of 15,000 homes for people in need of social housing over the course of the housing plan. That’s increasing our social housing stock by 50%”.
Dr McManus concluded: “The ICSH Community Housing Awards demonstrate best practice solutions in sustainability, and efforts to preserve the physical and social fabric of our towns and cities through refurbishment. Delivering social housing often involves complex relationship-building between the public and private sectors, but the success of these partnerships, even at a time of crisis, demonstrate what can be done nationally. And the impact these have on local communities is immeasurable.”
The Community Housing Awards, sponsored by Allianz, are open to housing associations, housing cooperatives and local authorities and showcase excellence in the delivery of social housing. Projects were awarded for their excellence in housing for older people, homeless projects, housing for people with disabilities, housing for families, collaboration initiatives, community integration and housing management.
The nine category winners were:
(Overall Winner) Regeneration: Fold Ireland, Ballygall Road East, Glasnevin, Dublin 11
Housing for Families: Túath Housing, Thornwood, Beaumount, Dublin 9
Housing for People with Disabilities: Tinteán Housing, Tinteán Willow, Carlow
Housing for Older People (Two Winners): St Vincent de Paul, St Micheal’s Housing Scheme, Foxford, Mayo (Small Project Winner) and Respond! Housing John’s College, Waterford (Large project Winner)
Community Integration in Housing: Clúid Housing Association, Syrian Refugee Resettlement, Portlaoise
Collaboration Initiatives: The Iveagh Trust, Annamore Court, Ballyfermot, Dublin 10
Homeless Projects (Two Winners): Dublin Simon, 33/36 Sean McDermott Street, Dublin 1 and Focus Ireland, Greenmount Close, Harold’s Cross, Dublin 6W
Most Creative Supply Response: Waterford County Council, Ormonde Square
Special Recognition Award: St Vincent de Paul, Upperchurch, Thurles, Tipperary
