Good News for Housing in Cork

While many commentators continue to predict doom and gloom for the housing sector, Ireland’s largest provider of social housing, Respond!, is delighted to announce that work has recently been completed on their newest development in Carraig Liath, Midleton, Co Cork. With an approximate value of €15 million, this 89 unit development in Midleton contains a mixture of affordable, social and local authority housing and was constructed by McInerney Contracting.

According to Ned Brennan, Chief Operations Officer, Respond! Housing Association: “Respond! is pleased to welcome our new residents to this integrated estate in Midleton which contains high-quality, well-built accommodation. The homes were allocated before Christmas and residents receive the keys this week having just completed an eight week pre-tenancy course. In addition, the development contains 26 units of affordable housing which represents a great opportunity for those families left behind by the soaring cost of private housing in the Midleton area over the last five to seven years to step onto the property ladder for the first time.”

Although private sector production reached record levels of almost 450,000 units from 2000 to 2006, social and local authority housing only increased their stock by 35,000 units for the same time period. However, latest figures available show that 43,000 households and approximately 32,000 children remain on Local Authority housing lists.

“The government and local authorities should seize the opportunities which exist at present in the housing sector by increasing the level of funding being made available for social housing. Not only would it help to maintain employment but due to current inflation levels in the construction sector, it would also offer real value for money,” added Mr Brennan. “In addition, private developers should be further encouraged to make available any unused land to Housing Associations and Local Authorities to allow them to increase social housing stocks throughout the country.”

With more than 25 years experience in housing, estate management and community development, Respond!’s primary focus is to build communities, not just homes. The housing charity seek to create continuing self-supporting communities who are linked to the wider community of which they are a part of, while also fostering the growth of the individual resident.

The development was funded by the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government in conjunction with Cork County Council.