First refurbished homes under Limerick mayor's plans could be ready early next year

Limerick mayor John Moran said a proposed Abbeyfeale pilot would provide six refurbished homes at 'fair rents for people from the locked-out middle', if approvals are secured at both local and national level

According to John Moran, builders on site told him the homes should be ready for handover by mid-November. File photo: Eamon Ward

The Limerick mayor has said the first refurbished homes under Vienna housing model plans could be ready for occupation by early 2027, if he can get approval.

However, at a council meeting, John Moran’s plans for the homes were met with opposition, with some warning that project development company Limerick Twenty Thirty’s participation in the scheme would be “meddling in the private market”.

Mr Moran said a proposed Abbeyfeale pilot would provide six refurbished homes at “fair rents for people from the locked-out middle”, if approvals are secured at both local and national level.

The disposal of the six properties located at Convent Road, 6 and 7 Colbert Terrace, 8 Old Church Street, and units 1 and 2 at the Bridge Inn, will form part of a targeted approach to providing a cost-recovery rental model for future housing purposes in the area.

According to Mr Moran, builders on site told him the homes should be ready for handover by mid-November.

Senior executive officer in the council’s Housing Directorate, Sarah Newell, said the rent for the six properties in Abbeyfeale would start at around €800 for a one-bed unit, and up to €1,200 for a three-bed unit.

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The mayor’s new model is aiming for a gradual development of a revolving housing fund capable of supporting future acquisitions, refurbishment programmes, and regeneration projects.

Mr Moran said in a blogpost: “Private provision is not meeting current demand. There is room — indeed a need — for additional providers. Where sufficient homes are not forthcoming from the private landlords we need a new answer.”

He said Abbeyfeale was chosen as a location for the proposed pilot, as Daft.ie illustrates the lack of choice faced by those trying to rent locally.