Families in Ennis are hailing a place to finally call home today.
It comes as the Housing Minister paid a visit to the county town today to officially open the An Coisin Gheal Estate on the Limerick Road.
The moment, Darragh O’Brien cut the ribbon on the entrance to Ennis’s newest social housing development.
The An Coisin Gheal estate has been home to eighteen families since November, and forms part of the 149 units delivered in conjunction with the local authority and approved housing bodies last year.
The fact remains, though, that at the end of last month, 2825 households were on the council’s social housing list.
However, the Housing Minister insists that his department is aware of the acute housing challenges facing Clare and that this will not be his last visit to the county.
Under Housing For All, the Government is aiming to deliver 883 homes in Clare by 2026.
This target is split on a 60/40 basis between the county council and approved housing bodies.
An Coisin Gheal itself is comprised of 4 x 4-bed homes and 14 x 3-bed units, all of which have an A2 Building Energy Rating.
The estate represents a €6 million investment and brings to 90 the number of social homes delivered by the Inis Housing Association in Clare.
Secretary, Pearse O’Shiel says it has been a transformative experience for many households that have prevailed through challenging circumstances.
One of the residents who has happily settled into their new home is Ennis woman Amanda Major.
Amanda, who spent over seventeen years in the rental market, which involved an extended period on the approved social housing list, is now living in An Coisin Gheal along with her partner and four children.
She says it’s incredible to have a place to definitively call home.
You can listen to the full report below.
