First Ukrainian housing development just ready in Laois
Over a year after they were first promised, the first modular housing state in Laois built to accommodate up to 168 168 war displaced Ukrainians is almost completed.
The estate of 42 semi-detached two bedroom prefab homes was built by the Office of Public Works, in a field owned by Laois County Council on the outskirts of Rathdowney.
Laois County Council gave an update at their October meeting.
“Site works are continuing at the 42 Modular Homes project in Rathdowney. The Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth (DCEDIY) have said that it anticipates that residents will move onto the site early to mid November 2023,” they said.
In June 2022 the Government approved plans to build 500 modular homes in 20 sites around Ireland, including the one in Rathdowney.
It was meant to be ready by June 2023, to be mostly for Ukrainian women and children already staying in Laois. There are over 1,000 displaced Ukrainians now staying temporarily in the county.
The Department said that after three years, the houses can be removed or reused by the council for local needs.