THERE were plenty of smiles in Ballymun last week when 11 families received the keys to their new homes at the Ó Cualann Cohousing Alliance CLG affordable housing scheme in Baile na Laochra.
The keys were presented by Lord Mayor of Dublin, Nial Ring, and Minister of State for Housing, Damien English, last Thursday (August 2).
There are now 28 homes occupied in the housing development, designed by the Ó Cualann Cohousing Alliance.
Baile na Laochra is a unique affordable housing scheme created to provide co-operative, integrated, affordable homes in mixed income, sustainable communities with support from local authorities where owner members live alongside social and private tenant members, all sharing common amenities.
An additional 21 homes will be handed over before the end of 2018. Ó Cualann will also commence building an additional 39 homes, 28 houses and 11 apartments, in Ballymun in the near future with the support of Dublin City Council.
Hugh Brennan, CEO of Ó Cualann Cohousing Alliance CLG, spoke about the housing scheme during the key handover ceremony.
“Ó Cualann’s vision is to build communities – not just houses, and we hope these 11 families will be comfortable, safe and secure in their new homes,” he said.
“The lack of affordable homes in Dublin is at epidemic level, and this is a small push to help resolve this problem. But a home is more than four walls, and we have already seen a cohesive community develop since the first families moved into Baile na Laochra.”
Lord Mayor, Nial Ring said he was delighted to see that Ó Cualann is pushing ahead with its model for affordable housing in Dublin.
“I would like to see the ‘Ó Cualann Model’ being replicated and scaled all around the city,” he added.
“Land should be seen as a resource for schemes like this and not as a commodity to be sold to the highest bidder. I wish the families well in their new community.
“It is because of the Ó Cualann Model many other low and moderate income earners now have a hope that they too may soon own their own home.”
