New housing development officially opens

MINISTER for the Environment, Community and Local Government, Alan Kelly, visited the Northside recently to officially open a new development.

Clúid Housing’s development of apartments in Belmayne, Dublin 13, provides a major boost for people on the social housing waiting list in the area.

Karen Kennedy, Clúid’s New Business Director, said when they first visited this particular part of Belmayne over six years ago it was a very different place and a large number of the apartments were unoccupied.

“Today, almost all the properties are occupied, houses have been turned into homes, and the new tenants are adding to the sense of community everywhere you look,

? said Ms Kennedy.

“We are absolutely delighted to be providing long-term housing for people on the social housing waiting list in this area.

“We are helping to breathe life back into the local community and create opportunities to make real change happen.

Ms Kennedy added:

“This section of Belmayne has been transformed from an underutilised, unfinished development into a thriving community.

?

Resident Helen Maguire said she is

“beyond happy

? after moving into one of the apartments.

“Before moving here, me and my son were living in a one-bed emergency accommodation hotel room,

? said Ms Maguire.

“My landlord moved back into the property I was living in and I had been extremely anxious ever since. We were totally unsettled.

“Having a long-term lease is a massive relief for me. The service Clúid provides is very reassuring and I always have a point of contact when I need one.

Belmayne was launched in 2007. However, following the downturn a number of the properties remained empty. In 2009, Clúid partnered with two other Approved Housing Bodies (AHB), HAIL and Sonas, to purchase 75 complete but unsold dwellings.

At the same time, Dublin City Council purchased 59 units and appointed Cl̼id as management agent. In 2014, Cl̼id signed a lease agreement with NARPS Рa special purpose vehicle established by NAMA to lease out vacant housing stock to social housing providers Рfor a further 125 properties.

Before taking the units into management, Clúid worked in partnership with the receiver to complete a major review and upgrade to the development.

After many years lying derelict, buildings were checked and the entire development was brought up to current building regulation and compliance standards.

In December 2014, the upgrade works were completed and Clúid was ready to welcome the first new residents to a mix of high quality, one, two and three-bedroom apartments. The remaining phased-delivery is on track to be completed before the end of this year.

Now responsible for some 208 units and with more to come, Clúid said it is fully committed to the future development of Belmayne.