New social housing scheme launched in heart of the city

OPENING officially next Tuesday is a new social housing scheme by Clúid.

The national housing association, which is funded directly by the Department of the Environment, has developed 25 houses and apartments on the former O’Shea’s building yard on White Street, in Cork city centre. It is Clúid’s second scheme on the street.

Joyce’s Court is a mix of one and two-bed apartments and two houses built on what was formerly, Joyce’s Lane.

In the heart of the historic, South Parish, the area has a strong connection to James Joyce — the famous writer’s grandfather lived in a small cottage on the cobbled street, trading as a salt and lime merchant and from whom the lane took it’s name.

Today, there’s a gleaming new apartment building on the spot, designed by Hudson and Associates and it’s already fully let, bar one house.

Clúid’s development addresses the strong need for single-occupancy units, says Marion O’Keefe, as almost 50% of applicants on the city council’s housing list are single.

The new Joyce’s Court scheme offers 18 one-bed units and five two-bed apartments and they are let for life. One of two houses, part of the existing, 19th century facade of White Street, have been let to a family, with one remaining .

The housing association take full responsibility for the letting, maintenance and revenue of the buildings, but are obliged to take applicants from local authority housing lists only. There was a huge oversubscription for this project, says O’Keefe, with more than three time as many applicants as places.

The agency also operate another apartment building in the immediate neighbourhood and have a portfolio of successful developments throughout the country, some of which are RIAI award-winners.