Housing scheme to provide homes for 120 families

Almost 120 families will be housed in a development announced yesterday in Dublin, putting a dent in the growing homelessness crisis in the capital.

Under the scheme, 95 houses and 22 apartments and duplexes will be provided in Finglas by the Túath Housing Association.

The first seven properties will be available to people on the housing list in Dublin within the next month, with the remainder to be completed by September.

The houses include two, three and four bed properties and will be located at An Riasc in Finglas and Thornwood in Beaumont.

The Túath Housing Association is providing the homes after funding was provided from the Housing Finance Agency and the Department of Environment.

The housing association opened another 32 properties in Wicklow just this week.

All the properties announced yesterday will be exclusively allocated to families on the City Council waiting list before the end of the year, and in phases.

The Finglas area, in particular, has experienced high levels of housing need and Dick Brady, assistant chief executive, Dublin City Council, said: “These additional family homes are very welcome, especially as they will all be delivered in 2016. There is greater demand here than in any other part of the City.”

Túath will now receive nominations from Dublin City Council of people already on its housing list, with candidates to be vetted and interviewed regarding their suitability for the scheme.

Túath spokesperson and chief executive Seán O’Connor said: “The association is extremely pleased to have secured these high-quality homes in accordance with our core remit to provide homes for those who cannot afford to provide homes for themselves in today’s difficult residential market.

“Túath will be working hard to ensure that the schemes become safe, secure and popular places where people and families choose to live and settle down in and where being a good neighbour is valued.”

Túath also indicated that it may play a role regarding the situation facing more than 100 families in Tyrellstown in Dublin, who face losing their homes as the fund that owns the properties moves to sell 103 houses in the area over the next four years.