Minister for Housing officially opens first Cost Rental homes in Laois

Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage, Darragh O’Brien TD, today officially opened 143 new Clúid social homes – including 28 Cost Rental homes – during a visit to Portlaoise, Co. Laois.

The 28 Cost Rental homes were delivered by Clúid, in partnership with Laois County Council, the Department for Housing, Local Government and Heritage and the Housing Finance Agency, and are located in The Maltings development, at the heart of Portlaoise. They are the first Cost Rental properties in the county.

Cost Rental is a new type of housing, designed for people whose income means they are not eligible for social housing or other support such as HAP, but who still struggle to rent on the open market. The rent for a one-bedroom Cost Rental apartment in The Maltings will be €944 per calendar month, with a two-bed apartment renting for just €1,162 – a 27% saving on the average market rent for the area. The homes will be advertised for rent in May.

Eibhlin O’Connor, Chief Commercial Officer, Clúid Housing, commented on The Meadows:

“The Meadows is part of Clúid’s ambitious construction programme and was delivered using our pioneering Developer Design and Build initiative. Together with our developer partner, Planauria, and contractor, BHA Construction, we have delivered 48 high-quality, A-rated homes for families in housing need in Laois.

“Since 2019, Clúid has delivered 1,182 new homes through our Developer Design and Build programme and our own construction programme. We currently have 636 homes on site across the country, with a further 479 homes due to commence by the end of next month.”

At Goldencroft – a development of 67 homes made up of a mix of bungalows, two storey houses, duplexes and apartments developed along with a new public car park – the Minister spoke to welcome all the new residents to their homes.

Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage, Darragh O’Brien TD, also commented:

“Home building starts have surged in recent months, with work starting on almost 12,000 more new homes in the first three months of this year – up 63% on last year. And it is when I visit projects on the ground such as this one that I get to see what that really means, the momentous effect it has on people’s lives when they get their own home.

“I’m delighted to be here in Portlaoise to see the wonderful homes being delivered through this strong partnership between Clúid and Laois County Council. With these 143 social and cost rental homes, we are not just adding to the total of homes being delivered, we are also, importantly, providing life-changing opportunities for hundreds of people in this county who need our support. With these new properties, more families will now have a secure, high-quality, affordable place to call home. As you can see, through the hard work of our local authorities and approved housing bodies, we are delivering in Laois – as we are, under Housing for All, throughout the country. We are not complacent however and we will continue to build on the positive momentum we have achieved to deliver even more for Laois and for Ireland.”

To read more about the Minister Of Housing opening these schemes in Laois, visit cluid.ie/media-centre