Issue updated on plans for social housing in Clare

CLARE COUNTY Council has said it's on track to exceed its target of building 302 social homes over the next two years.

This will be through its own capital projects and by supporting approved housing bodies, which are organisations that provide affordable rented housing for people who cannot afford to pay private sector rents or buy their own homes.

As part of its announcement yesterday, the local authority outlined details of six housing developments which will get under way following contract signings for construction and design.

Three of these are currently at construction stage and will deliver 18 new social housing units in Scarriff, 15 new social housing units in Sixmilebridge and five new social housing units in Clarecastle.

The three other direct build projects are now at design stage and are proposed to deliver 25 units in Kilkee, 22 units in Kilrush and seven units in Ennis.

The six schemes for which contracts have been signed are in addition to five other Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage-approved direct build and buy and renew projects that are currently at design stage and proposed to provide for a further 89 housing units in Ennis, Doonbeg, Ennistymon and Kilrush.

In addition, approved housing bodies in the county are working closely with Clare County Council to deliver Department-approved projects which are proposed to provide for 125 units at locations in Ennis, Kilkishen, Scarriff, Tulla, Kilrush and Westbury, which is on the outskirts of Limerick City.

Clare County Council leader Cllr Tony O'Brien said he is encouraged by the progress being made in the delivery of social housing.

"The addition of these proposed developments will continue the positive progress that has been achieved to date in Clare to address housing need. We have seen a number of quality developments delivered last year and these recent contract signings should build on those efforts," he said

Former Limerick council executive Pat Dowling, who now heads Clare County Council added: "The 92 proposed housing units are part of an ambitious programme of delivery across the county and will make a significant contribution to the Council’s efforts to meet the housing need of its applicants. Clare County Council has developed a strong pipeline of new public homes and, with Government support, aims to build on the progress made to date and continue to exceed in the delivery of our targets under Housing for All. We continue to support approved housing bodies in our overall delivery while ensuring that momentum is maintained in identifying and delivering on all opportunities for increasing social housing in County Clare.”