Tánaiste Micheál Martin has said that Ireland is making significant progress in tackling the housing crisis in this country and is set to exceed home delivery targets this year.
Speaking in Blackpool in Cork on Friday where he officially opened 112 new social homes developed by Clúid Housing, Mr Martin said that the project was “a manifestation of the success of the Housing for All Strategy.”
“Yesterday we had good news with close to 33,000 homes delivered in 2023 which is evidence of continuing momentum in terms of getting more supply into the market," he said.
"We need to do more but next year the pipeline is such that we think we can go higher than this year and higher than the targets which have been set.
"We just have to keep the focus on (delivering housing). This (development) illustrates the value of restoring brownfield sites to modern housing projects of this kind."
Meanwhile, the new apartments in Cork which were officially open were allocated to individuals and families on the local authority housing list. Residents will get the keys to their new secure, affordable A-rated social homes next month.
The development is composed of 112 one, two and three-bed apartments and a community space, with 36 homes specially designed to suit the needs of older residents.
Steve Loveland, Head of Clann, Clúid Housing, said the new development is a great example of mixed-tenure living in the heart of a community.
“The older residents living here can enjoy living in a vibrant community with people from all ages and backgrounds, including young families, while also accessing the particular supports they need to remain independent and age in place.
"We know that older people have a valuable contribution to make to society, so we hope the new Clann residents will play an important role in nurturing this new community.”
Lord Mayor of Cork City, Cllr Kieran McCarthy, said the housing scheme provides new opportunities for families and individuals to live, work and play close to the city centre.
“Blackpool has always had a large place in the heart and pride of Corkonians. Its history of community life is rich from being rooted in manufacturing two hundred years ago to an area teaming with laneways and life in the twentieth century. In essence, Blackpool adds immensely to the rich tapestry of stories the wider city possesses.
“The new development showcases how modern development and regeneration can complement a growing city with public transport links in proximity, pedestrian access to the city centre and contributing to the community with the inclusion of critically important Clann scheme units. In a historically rich area, the significance of cross generational living becomes even more apparent.
“I would like to take this opportunity to thank my fellow elected members in Cork City Council who showed unwavering support for this scheme when the part 8 planning application was presented to us.
Chief Executive of Cork City Council, Ann Doherty said with the population of Cork City due to grow by 50 per cent to 2040 it is clear our city is changing.
"This former derelict site is one such example of this change and is a prime example of successful collaboration with Clúid Housing.
"Our shared commitment to transforming derelict and vacant sites and Housing for All is manifested in the success we see here at Green Lane. The positive benefits this development will bring to Blackpool and the wider city will be seen for generations to come. It is routed in sustainability, in both the community and environmental sense.
“I would like to thank the communities in the area for their patience while the delivery of this project was realised and to the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage, The Housing Agency and the Housing Finance Agency for their critical contributions.”
