'Supporters outweigh sceptics' on modular homes plan, says Limerick mayor

Limerick mayor John Moran: Report, commissioned by Limerick City and County Council, found 87% of the respondents were positive about the SMART homes, while 82% found the concept inspiring.

Limerick mayor John Moran has said “supporters outweigh the sceptics” following the publication of a report which shows most who have seen SMART modular homes back the concept.

The report, commissioned by Limerick City and County Council, found 87% of the respondents were positive about the SMART homes, while 82% found the concept inspiring.

A total of 131 participants were questioned while visiting the prototype displayed at Arthur’s Quay last year, while another 101 were surveyed online.

In a blog post shared on Tuesday, John Moran said what mattered most is what the public thought, “especially those who might want to call them home”.

“The initiative termed SMART Homes was one of my main election commitments — probably the reason that it has hit such strong opposition from some of my political opponents,” Mr Moran wrote.

“But I do not want us to mix up a debate about the wisdom of building on one particular parcel of land with whether this new type of home is a good idea itself if we find acceptable locations on which to build.” 

This comes as Limerick councillors voted unanimously not to proceed with the development of 500 modular homes at Boro Park, following strong opposition from local residents.

Mr Moran said he wanted to focus the initiative to speed up delivery and help those "failed by the private rental market”.

“As people know full well, I myself am a landlord. I have never hidden that fact,” he said.

“I have seen first-hand how Ireland's rental market has been letting down tenants for many years. In 2010 or so, rents collapsed by 50%, but have increased steadily as shortages hit home to now soar above the pre-financial crisis highpoints. 

Progressively, although lagging behind Dublin, Limerick has also suffered steadily on the unaffordable rent levels — simply as we do not have enough new supply.

Mr Moran owns a co-living building at The Crescent, in Limerick City. The project is divided into several apartments and studios, all totalling to a monthly rent of about €15,000.

Additionally, he owns more than 20 properties in Ireland and abroad, in France and New York. When he was elected, he filed a declaration of interest, an ethics form detailing the properties he owns or rents.

“For the SMART homes initiative, I also wanted to target a solution for those squeezed middle residents who want to rent for a couple of years. Those who are saving to buy a home. Those who have just graduated or moved to Limerick for a job and are not yet sure what the future holds. We are talking mainly single persons or couples before the kids have arrived,” he said.

The report on SMART housing concluded the participants were a more general group “broadly in the target markets of young adults (and their parents), students, young professionals, down-sizers and to an extent young families.” 

Twenty three per cent of the participants are living with parents, while 13% are renting with others, 10% with a partner — and only 5% renting by themselves. Thirty three per cent own an apartment.

The participants were surveyed after two SMART homes prototypes were displayed at Arthur’s Quay last year.

As it stands, Limerick is 6,000 homes short of the Land Development Agency’s target.

More than 10,000 homes were due to be delivered in Limerick over the past four years, but the local authority has under-delivered on its nationally mandated housing targets.

On his blog, Mr Moran said “pioneers often face scepticism and opposition”, as he added he had been “faced with strong vocal opposition from some councillors”.

“One maintains 'this is all a total waste of money' and presumably maintains that I should drop the idea quickly. Another, has told me that what are referred to as 'dog-boxes' will come into her community 'over her dead body'. Strong words indeed,” he wrote.

However, he said he had received a lot of support since he has pushed the project.

“I believe the opposition to the concept of SMART homes reflects a minority view. Maybe coming from natural fear of change. Maybe just pure NIMBYism [not in my backyard]. Maybe it is just because of political opposition to me as the mayor. We’ll never know which I suppose,” he continued.

He said the Department of Housing adopted the project as one of two Government “sponsored trailblazer projects” to trial modern methods of construction. “So now I know at least I am also pushing Government policy,” Mr Moran said.