It’s not all bad news in the housing sector – Ireland’s leading housing association, Respond has 198 new social homes currently in construction in Louth.
Respond now owns and manages 215 homes across Louth, supporting more than 26 service users in social housing developments, family homeless services, early childhood care and education, and supports for elderly people and refugees.
The announcement was made as Respond’s Annual Report 2021 was launched yesterday by Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage Darragh O’Brien TD, detailing the real impact the organisation has had in local communities across the country.
Respond has 1,422 new social and cost rental homes in construction nationwide. The organisation delivered 624 new social and affordable homes in 2021 and commenced construction on 778 homes. This increases the number of properties it owns or manages to over 6,500.
Commenting, Respond Spokesperson Niamh Randall said:
“Our Annual Report is a snapshot of the great work carried out by our teams on the ground supporting those who need it most in our communities. Central to this support is providing families with access to stable, long-term homes where they can put down roots as part of a local community.
“Despite the challenge of construction cost inflation, we have 1,422 new social and cost rental homes under construction across the country. We are committed to continuing to help alleviate the massive need nationwide for social housing and supporting the Government’s Housing for All strategy.”
“Respond’s current building programme has a value of more than €1bn. However, the current models for delivering social and cost rental homes are proving increasingly challenging in light of construction cost inflation, which has seen significant increases in the last 12 months, along with the recent increases in interest rates. We are working with the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage on a welcome review of the structure and operation of Capital Advanced Leasing Facility (CALF) funding scheme.
“The CALF scheme enables Approved Housing Bodies like Respond to deliver social homes. In addition, we welcome commitments to make changes to the Cost Rental Equity Loan Scheme as part of Budget 2023”.
Darragh O’Brien TD, Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage, added: “I would like to commend Respond’s work in supporting families across the country, both in terms of delivering new homes and the wider community support services it offers. The Government’s Housing for All strategy is focused on increasing the housing supply, in addition to providing a range of affordable purchase and rental measures. Respond’s work is critical in helping us towards achieving these goals.”
In addition to its role as an Approved Housing Body delivering housing developments and cost rental schemes, Respond provides several additional services to communities nationwide, including family homeless services, Early Learning and School Aged Care services, and services for older people, families and refugees.
Niamh Randall, Spokesperson for Respond, said that Respond were extremely proud of their work in not just building homes but supporting communities around them:
“Respond’s community-based frontline services provide a valuable relief to many families and a stable learning environment for children to help them thrive” she said.
“These services are hugely important in the context of the cost of living crisis which has disproportionate impacts on families and individuals on low incomes and already living in poverty. Our services provide support to people throughout all stages of their lives, from childhood to old age.
“We are there for people in good times but also in their most difficult moments, such as for those experiencing homelessness or fleeing from their home countries because of war. In recent months our experienced Refugee Resettlement Team have welcomed a small number of refugees from Ukraine to accommodation repurposed for their use.
“Approximately half of our 350 staff have a background in social care and this expertise and experience adds to Respond’s service offering for both our tenants and service users.”
