Dundalk's Halliday Mills secures win for Cooperative Housing Ireland in Community Housing Awards

Cooperative Housing Ireland (CHI) won the ‘Building Communities’ award at the Irish Council for Social Housing Community Housing Awards 2023, sponsored by Allianz, on the 18th October. 

The Biennial Community Housing Awards 2023 were presented by RTE presenter Anne Cassin.

Speaking on the occasion of the 2023 Community Housing Awards, Donal McManus, Chief Executive of the Irish Council for Social Housing (ICSH) said:

“The Halliday Mills apartment scheme in Dundalk is an impressive transformation of what was a longstanding derelict site, into 85 A3 rated apartments. The project met with significant obstacles over recent years, including antisocial behaviour.

"However, CHI has done a remarkable job with the support of residents and outside agencies, and are proud to submit a project that demonstrates how a community can develop out of adversity. Strong AHB tenancy support and sustainment work and a very positive level of tenancy activity is very apparent.“

Halliday Mills apartment complex was originally built in the early 2000s and soon after fell into disrepair. The shell building was an eyesore and hotbed of antisocial behaviour before being gutted and refurbished. Co-operative Housing Ireland, in partnership with Louth County Council, and with support from the Department of Housing, the Housing Agency, and the Housing Finance Agency were able to acquire the renovated development. New members (tenants) moved into Halliday Mills in January 2022.

Halliday Mills is now an apartment complex of 85 BER A3 rated one-bed, two-bed and three-bed apartments, which were delivered by CHI and stakeholders, in response to need in the area. It is currently the largest apartment complex in Dundalk with a mixture of families and individuals from a diverse range of backgrounds.

Mr McManus of the ICSH added:

“The 2023 award entries demonstrate the dedication of the sector (both AHBs and local authorities) and the scale of the social and affordable housing development work that is ongoing throughout the country, but that often remains unseen.

"These entries from local authorities, approved housing bodies and cooperative housing bodies exemplify the collaborative work that is happening to deliver housing to those who need it most and during very challenging times. We would like to recognise the support of the Department of Housing, local Government and Heritage in the delivery of these projects.”