Respond opens applications for 141 Cost Rental homes at Piper’s Square

Approved Housing body, Respond, has opened applications for 141 new Cost Rental homes at Pipers Square, Charlestown, Fingal.

These homes are part of 284 Cost Rental homes to be delivered in the wider mixed tenure development of 590 homes.

They will provide high-quality, secure housing for individuals and families with net household incomes of up to €66,000 (net) per annum many of whom are priced out of the private rental market. 

Piper’s Square will deliver 590 homes in total, inclusive of 306 social homes and 284 Cost Rental homes. Piper’s Square is the largest passive housing development in Europe.

Homes available include 44 one-bedroom apartments, 88 two-bedroom apartments and 9 three-bedroom apartments. Rents for these homes are set as below:

• One-bedroom apartment             €1387.50
• Two-bedroom apartment              €1599.60
• Three-bedroom apartment           €1762.50

Applications can now be submitted via www.respond.ie/cost-rental/, where information is also available, with a second round of homes expected to launch shortly. Applications close Monday 13th July.

Cost Rental is an affordable housing tenure, available to those who have a household income of less than €66,000 (net) in Dublin and €59,000 (net) in the rest of the country per annum, with rents set at least 25% below market rate in the area.

Passive Housing

As a passive housing development Piper’s Square is designed to be energy efficient and ideal for high-density living, with the development receiving certification from the Passivhaus Institute earlier this year.

Certification by the Passivhaus Institute, founded by Professor Wolfgang Feist, gives independent, international validation of the performance and significance of these homes.

These homes offer substantial long-term cost savings for tenants due to lower maintenance and operating costs, with many households potentially never needing to turn on heating, effectively insulating tenants from extreme energy price shocks and reducing financial burdens.

Passive homes provide greater comfort, designed to maintain a constant temperature of 20 degrees 24 hours a day and provide a constant supply of filtered fresh air.

Tenant experience

Pipers Square has been designed with tenants’ quality of life at its core. Each home features modern appliances, an energy-efficient A-rate BER, with an exhaust air heat pump system, and a separate continuous central extract ventilation system. Shared amenity spaces will include a management suite and resident amenity space.

Situated in a high demand location, Pipers Square benefits from access to a wide range of local amenities including schools, shops, and public transport. Tenants will have access to dedicated on-site supports, including a Tenant Relations Officer, Community Support Worker, and Building Supervisor, helping to ensure a smooth move-in process and a strong sense of community from day one. There is also underground parking provided.

Charlestown Shopping Centre is located within walking distance to the complex and includes a wide range of shops. With a location chosen with tenants’ long-term needs, Piper’s Square is highly connected via public transport, with the complex located just minutes from the M50 motorway, providing easy access to all areas of Dublin and surrounding counties, and within ideal distance of Dublin Airport. Connected to Dublin City centre via multiple Dublin Bus routes, Pipers Square’s location combines strong transport links, immediate access to shopping and leisure facilities, making it an ideal location to live.

Respond’s Commitment to Cost Rental Housing

Niamh Randall, Spokesperson for Respond, highlighted the importance of Cost Rental housing in Ireland:

“The opening of applications at Piper’s Square marks another important step in delivering secure, high-quality and affordable homes for people who are increasingly priced out of the private rental market. Cost Rental is a vital part of the housing system, offering long-term stability, with rents below market levels.

“Partnership lies at the core of Respond’s approach, and the success of those collaborations is clearly reflected in these homes. At Respond, we are committed to working in partnership to scale delivery and developments like Piper’s Square show what can be achieved when the right supports and collaboration are in place. We look forward to welcoming new tenants and supporting.”

Pipers Square has been delivered in partnership with Fingal County Council, the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage, the Housing Finance Agency and The Housing Agency, with construction led by Cairn.

These homes were funded with Government support using the Cost Rental Equity Loan (CREL) to help make the Cost Rental homes affordable, along with long-term loans from the Housing Finance Agency.

A Growing National Pipeline

Respond currently provides homes for over 20,000 people in more than 9,000 homes across Ireland. The organisation has 3,000 homes under construction as part of its social and cost rental housing delivery programme across Ireland.

For more information or to apply for a Cost Rental home at Airton Road, visit: www.respond.ie/cost-rental/.

About Respond

Respond, a construction-led Approved Housing Body and service provider, has been working all around Ireland for over 40 years. Our vision is that every family and individual in Ireland will have high‐quality housing as part of a vibrant and caring community. Housing and decent accommodation, in the areas where people want to live, are central to improving people’s lives and enhancing the health and well‐being of society.

20,000 tenants live in over 9,000 properties across the 26 counties that we either own or manage. Respond also provide a range of services for families and individuals within our communities. This includes emergency accommodation with 24/7 support for families who are homeless in six Family Homeless Services, three Day Care Services for Older People, 17 Early Childhood Care and Education, Family Support and Refugee Resettlement services. Our aim is to provide person centred services to support people to achieve their goals and reach their full potential.

Respond is a member of the Housing Alliance, the collaboration of seven of Ireland’s largest Approved Housing bodies (AHBs). The Housing Alliance’s purpose is to work with Government and Local Authorities to promote the delivery of social and affordable homes, address barriers to delivery and advocate strongly for responsible, professional housing management. In 2024 our 7 not-for-profit members delivered 6,025 new social and Cost Rental homes.

 

About Cost Rental

Cost Rental homes are designed to support people who do not qualify for social housing but have a household net income of less than €66,000 (net) in Dublin and €59,000 (net) in rest of the country. In addition, the following criteria apply to applicant households:

• You are not in receipt of any social housing supports.
• You do not own a property.
• Your household size matches the size of the property advertised.
• You can afford to pay the cost rent for the home.

See more at https://www.respond.ie/cost-rental/