Council reveals final cost of local modular homes

DUBLIN City Council has confirmed the full cost of the 22 modular homes at Baile na Laochra in Poppintree, Ballymun.

The council has agreed to pay Western Building Systems €180,000 for each of the two-storey rapid build homes and says the cost is significantly under budget.

Residents began moving into the homes last April after the project was delayed for a number of months. The council had originally hoped to have the units occupied before Christmas 2015.

According to the council, the entire site is now fully serviced with infrastructure, utilities and an ESB sub section, which will allow for the future provision of 50 affordable homes on the remainder of the site, by Ó Cualann Co-housing Alliance.

However, not everyone is happy with the cost of the homes, including local councillor, Noeleen Reilly (SF), who believes the price of the units is “still too high”.

“There was a lot of fear in the community about the cost of the modular units in Poppintree,” she said.

“I’m glad a final figure has been agreed and there is now clarity going forward.

“However, the price of €180,000 per unit is much greater than we were led to believe the costs would be when this debate started.

“The priority was and is getting families out of hotels and providing homes.

“There are houses within Ballymun that cost much less than the modular units. We need to be looking at these as an option in the future if the cost of these units will remain at the same high price.”

The 22 rapid build homes are providing temporary accommodation for homeless families who had previously been placed in hotels on an emergency basis.