An Taoiseach, Leo Varadkar, TD, and Minister of State at the Department of Housing, Planning and Local Government, Damien English, TD, today attended the event to mark the official opening of a newly built development of 42 social housing homes in Stormanstown, Ballymun Road, Dublin.  The development has been constructed by Oaklee Housing Trust in partnership with Dublin City Council. Oaklee Housing were able to acquire the previously derelict site and develop a top quality scheme with funding from the Department of Housing, Planning and Local Government and the Housing Finance Agency.

The development of 42 high-quality new homes comprises 31 one, two and three-bedroom apartments and 11 townhouses and is located in the predominantly private areas of Collins Avenue Extension and Ballymun Road and is adjacent to Dublin City University (DCU).  It will provide new homes for over 50 adults and almost 100 children from Dublin City Council’s waiting lists.

The Taoiseach met with a number of the new residents who have recently taken up residence in their new homes. Speaking at the official opening, the Taoiseach said.  “The Government  is providing  thousands of new homes across the country this year. This new development at Stormanstown will benefit 150 individuals and families who had been on the social housing list. For each of them, getting the keys to their new home is a huge day. I wish them all the very best in their new homes and am delighted they’ll be in before Christmas.

By working through Local Authorities and housing trusts like Oaklee , we are replicating this kind of development nationwide to provide more and more families with a safe and secure roof over their heads.

Some claim these homes don’t exist or don’t count because they are not local authority direct builds. The people moving in to them know better.

Our housing shortage is a huge challenge but it’s increasingly evident that significant progress is being made. This year almost 20,000 new homes will be built across the country, more than any other year this decease and next year we expect this to rise to 25,000.”

Minister of State at the Department of Housing, Planning and Local Government, Damien English, TD said: “I am delighted to be part of the formal opening of this development which will provide much needed homes for so many families and individuals.  The redevelopment of this site into high-quality homes will not only have an impact on its new residents but will benefit the community as a whole”. The Minister also commended Oaklee Housing’s dedication to providing social housing and noted their strong pipeline of new social housing in various locations around the county.

Sharon Cosgrove, Chief Executive of Oaklee Housing added “This partially completed development lay derelict for almost a decade and was an eyesore for local neighbours. Given the requirement for social housing in the area Oaklee Housing were delighted to acquire the completed units within a top quality scheme, which will provide much needed social housing for families in need.

“It is great to see the development finally handed over to many new families who will make it their home, just in time for Christmas.

“We were also pleased to welcome the Taoiseach and Minister  English to Stormanstown to see the development first-hand. We are grateful for the support from Dublin City Council, the Housing Finance Agency and the Department of Housing. It is vital that we get more homes underway and this project is one of many new developments we are embarking on this year across Ireland to help meet considerable need”.