2016 was a year of great change in Respond

We are privileged to have a new Chairperson in John O’Connor and largely a new Board of Directors, whose experience and acumen is undoubted.

Declan Dunne also joined Respond as the new CEO in August 2016 and we have set upon a path of internal transformation in order to properly situate ourselves in the current housing and homelessness context and to set a clear path for our future direction.

 To view the full report please click  Respond Annual Report 2016 

Respond has significantly ramped up our social house build and acquisition plans in order to address the significant shortfall in social housing supply which is causing many of the downstream issues of homelessness and insecurity.

2016 saw the official opening of John’s College in Waterford City. Originally a diocesan seminary John’s College is now a 67-unit state of the art development for older people and those with special needs and requirements. John’s College now a vibrant space where residents and the wider Waterford community interact via the Hub Café and the other community services located there. This adds to Respond’s considerable output in Waterford city and county where we have built 574 social homes since our founding in 1982.

Moy Glas Glade in Lucan is now home to 14 families who were previously many years on the social housing list. Originally an unfinished private estate, Respond took over Moy Glas Glade and ensured the completion of the project for social use.

Phase I of Ashmount Mews in the Mayfield area of Cork City was opened in 2016 and 16 families got the keys to their new homes. Ashmount Mews was Respond’s first NARPS development – NAMA’s special purpose vehicle to take ownership of properties where there is an established demand, leasing them to a local authority or Approved Housing Body. When Phase II is completed 35 families will be housed in long-term, secure situation. Respond continued also to advocate on behalf of our residents via submissions to the policy process arguing that eliminating barriers to social house-building is the single greatest way we can contribute to fulfilling the ambitions of Rebuilding Ireland.

Respond are a solutions-oriented organisation unafraid to innovate but knowing we have to keep listening and learning all the while. The new Strategic Plan we are embarking on will ensure that the organisational structure is fully aligned to the new strategy.

Declan stated that he is  “delighted at the progress we all made together in 2016 and am genuinely excited by our new strategic development process which I believe will make sure Respond only goes from strength to strength”

Posted:  8th November 2017