Minister of State at the Department of Housing, Planning and Local Government with responsibility for Local Government and Electoral Reform, John Paul Phelan T.D. today visited County Kilkenny to view progress at two social housing projects being developed by Oaklee Housing.
The schemes will provide 30 new homes, 9 bungalows in Moneenroe and 21 apartments in Thomastown to be allocated to households on the Kilkenny County Council housing list. The homes are designed to meet a range of tenancy needs including those of families, older people and individuals with limited mobility.
An Approved Housing Body (AHB), Oaklee has secured funding for the schemes through a combination of finance from the Department of Housing, Planning and Local Government’s Capital Advance Leasing Facility (CALF) and Capital Assistance Scheme (CAS); and the Housing Finance Agency.
Minister Phelan noted:
“the housing crisis is one of the key challenges facing the state and, in responding to that challenge, it is encouraging to witness part of the significant investment programme being provided under Rebuilding Ireland coming to fruition here in County Kilkenny. These 30 new homes are an example of the successful joint working between Kilkenny County Council and Oaklee at a local level, with Oaklee harnessing the financial supports available to it from my Department. If we are to realise the full ambition of Rebuilding Ireland, we must continue to develop the strong pipeline of social housing projects around the country, many of which use new and innovative ways of delivering social housing, and harness the capacity of the approved housing bodies to deliver high quality houses and supported, sustainable homes for tenants.”
The nine new bungalows at Moneenroe, near Castlecomer, are due for completion in November 2017 and include a mix of two and three-bedroom units. Meanwhile at Logan Street, Thomastown, Oaklee acquired a scheme that was abandoned during the downturn and to provide 21 new homes comprising of a mix of one, two and three-bedrooms apartments.
Sharon Cosgrove, Chief Executive of Oaklee Housing said:
“There are many demands for housing in today’s society and it is important that we get more homes underway. We are working in close partnership with a range of local authorities, government agencies and developers to accelerate the delivery of social and affordable homes for a range of needs. We believe a collaborative approach can enable us to provide an effective response to the Rebuilding Ireland agenda.
“These are two exciting developments that will provide 30 much-needed new homes that can support a range of tenures in Kilkenny. We look forward to welcoming the tenants and officially opening the schemes later this year. We are grateful for the support from Kilkenny County Council, the Department of Housing and the Housing Finance Agency.”
Mary Mulholland, Acting Chief Executive of Kilkenny County Council said she wished to ‘thank Oaklee for their perseverance in delivering these 21 apartments on a site that was once a derelict unfinished estate in the heart of Thomastown and wished the tenants all the best in their new homes.’
Established in 2001 and part of the Choice Group, Oaklee Housing has quickly grown into one of Ireland’s leading social housing providers managing more than 700 high quality modern homes that accommodate older people, families, mature singles and people with complex needs.
