Employers buying up homes to house workers amid crisis

SHANNON-BASED Atlantic Aviation Group (AAG) is offering rental accommodation in a purpose-built co-living space, in response to the difficulties its workers have had in finding housing in the region.

A subsidiary of AAG has purchased a vacant property for sale in Sixmilebridge and will repurpose it as staff accommodation to give newly hired employees a chance to settle into their new roles without the immediate headache of finding a home.

The A-rated development, close to AAG’s centre of operations at Shannon Airport, will consist of approximately 36 en-suite bedrooms for AAG employees with shared relaxation areas and living rooms, communal kitchens and garden areas.

The company has been growing its workforce in recent years to more than 750 people, however, they have experienced significant challenges in recruiting staff due to the lack of available accommodation in the market.

The company, owned by entrepreneur Patrick Jordan, believes the Sixmilebridge development will alleviate pressure on new hires to find housing in the short and medium term.

“In providing rental accommodation for our new hires who need somewhere to live, we are giving our people the best possible chance to settle into their new roles right away and familiarise themselves with more long-term housing options,” he added.

In 2021, AAG acquired the Lufthansa Technik Shannon Ltd. business from its German parent Lufthansa Technik (AG).
AAG CEO Shane O’Neill expressed their pride in offering innovative solutions for clients, as well as looking after their “own people.”

“Employees everywhere are struggling to find accommodation and this is our way of assisting our employees to find their feet as they start into their roles. The accommodation is not intended as a long-term solution but will prove invaluable in its role in giving employees a housing option when they start,” he added.

According to a survey by the Limerick Chamber released last year, roughly 60% of businesses in the region say they struggle to retain staff due to the housing crisis.

According to Limerick Chamber, the majority of respondents ranked the availability of housing or rental accommodation as the barrier to filling job vacancies, followed closely by the availability of childcare plus the expectation of candidates to be able to work remotely.

Separate figures from figures from Limerick Chamber show there were just 21 homes to rent in the city and surrounding areas in October, ten less than the previous month.

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While figures from popular renting website, Daft.ie, show that as of Tuesday, February 6, there were 26 properties to rent in Limerick county, and 17 more in the city.

Speaking at the end of last year, the regional manager for emergency accommodation at the Mid-West Simon Community, Jonathan Shinnors, has warned the current lack of affordable housing has left the city and county in a “dire situation.”

According to Mr Shinnors, the organisation is now supporting a new cohort of people who, in previous years, would not have been availing of homeless support.