Housing Minister meets residents of new age-friendly Portlaoise social housing scheme

Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage, Darragh O’Brien TD, met some of the new residents of the Clann Housing scheme at The Maltings, Portlaoise, when he visited to officially open the 40 new homes on May 15th 2023.

Minister O’Brien, along with the Cathaoirleach of Laois County Council, Cllr Thomasina Connell, and Chief Executive of Laois County Council, John Mulholland, also met with residents of new social homes, owned and managed by Clúid Housing, at nearby Roselawn. These three-bedroom homes completed a pre-exiting estate, adding an additional 15 much-needed homes to the area.

The Maltings, a three-storey block composed of 40 two-bed apartments, is managed by Clann, Clúid’s age-friendly offering, for residents aged 55 and older. All the apartments were designed and developed using the principles of Universal Design, to ensure their new residents can age in place and enjoy their homes for many years to come. The scheme also benefits from a common room which, in the coming months and years, will host activities such as parties and bingo, as well as visits from local support services.

The development is named in recognition of the former use of the site, which provided malt to the Guinness and Smithwicks breweries, among others. When complete, the development will include four additional apartment blocks and a nursing home.

The scheme is now fully occupied, with residents allocated from Laois County Council’s housing list. The residents are beginning to settle into their new forever homes.

Mary Lennon, resident of The Maltings, said: “We are so grateful to have our forever home. The attention and detail that has gone into the apartments is second to none, the best of everything has gone into these apartments. Everything has been planned out meticulously, right down to the personal alarm system Clann has provided in each apartment. We feel part of a community and are looking forward to the next chapter in our forever home.”

Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage, Darragh O’Brien TD said: “I’m delighted to be here today to officially open these two new developments, which provide much needed social housing at the heart of Portlaoise. Clúid continues to delivery high quality homes for families on the local authority’s housing lists. It’s fantastic to see the growing number of homes in their age friendly offering, Clann. I am always heartened to see new developments like these, which allow households to live within walking distance of all the amenities they need, and which ensure continued life in our towns and cities. I commend Laois County Council and Clúid Housing for their hard work in producing these beautiful, well-designed homes, and their contribution to achieving the Government’s Housing for All targets.”

Cathaoirleach of Laois County Council, Cllr. Thomasina Connell, commented at the visit, “Laois County Council is proud to support this development dedicated to age friendly housing in Laois. Clúid and developer ONS Developments have produced high quality houses in which residents are proud to make their forever homes. Thanks to the Minister and the Dept of Housing for the supports given to make such schemes possible.”

Chief Executive of Louth County Council, John Mulholland, stated, “The pipeline for the delivery of high quality social housing is exceptionally strong in County Laois. In the two year period 2022 and 2023 it is expected that Laois County Council, with its trusted partners in the AHB sector, will have constructed over 550 new homes. The completion of 55 homes at the Maltings is one example where Clúid, ONS Construction and Laois County Council have worked in close collaboration to bring top class residential development to a great location in Portlaoise Town centre. I congratulate the team at Clúid and at ONS Construction on completion of this project and I wish well to the many new residents of the Maltings.”

Aoife Flynn-Kennedy, Head of Clann, Clúid Housing, said, “We’re delighted to welcome Minister O’Brien, Cllr Connell and John Mulholland to our new homes in Portlaoise. The support of the Department and Laois County Council have been vital in delivering these fine homes, which will have an enormous impact on the individuals and families now living here. It has been wonderful to meet some of the residents and hear what having a high-quality, secure home means to them. Everyone in Clúid and Clann wishes our new residents many years of happiness as they create a community here.”

Both schemes benefited from support from the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage, the Housing Finance Agency, the Housing Agency and Laois County Council.

ENDS

Notes to the Editor:

Fiona O’Connor – Communications & Engagement Manager – Clúid Housing

+353 87 113 5411 – foconnor@cluid.ie

About Clúid Housing

Clúid Housing is an independent, not-for-profit charity, and is the largest approved housing body (AHB) or housing association in Ireland. Established in 1994, Clúid leads the way in providing high quality, affordable rented homes to people in housing need. We work in partnership with local authorities to provide housing to those on social housing waiting lists. Clúid own and manage over 10,000 properties providing a home to over 27,000 people.

Clann is Clúid’s dedicated age-friendly housing service for people over 55. Clann is committed to providing quality housing and services that enable people to create homes and thriving communities. Clann is committed to empowering residents to live for as long as possible in sustainable, high quality, affordable homes in their own community.

Our team of almost 300 highly qualified professional employees are committed to providing quality housing and services that enable people to create homes and thriving communities. For more information visit www.cluid.ie