29 New Homes for Kildare

Cathaoirleach of the county of Kildare, Cllr. Naoise Ó Cearúil welcomed An Taoiseach Micheál Martin to Castlefen in Sallins today where he officially opened 29 new homes delivered by Tuath Housing in partnership with Kildare County Council. The official opening also featured a visit, by An Taoiseach, to the local community hall where he met with members of the Castlefen Resident’s Association.

All 29 homes are located within the preexisting Castlefen estate, a growing area within Sallins between the Liffey and Clane Road. Kildare County Council provided the site for this project and Tuath is delighted to have worked in partnership with the Local Authority on this direct build development consisting of nine 1 bed houses, 12 two bed and eight 3 bed houses. These new homes have been funded via private finance from the Housing Finance Agency and a loan from the Department of Housing. The average price of the 29 A rated, contemporary homes delivered at Castlefen is €261,500, representing excellent value for money. The new homes are currently being allocated by Tuath Housing to people from the Kildare County Council housing waiting list.

Tuath delivered its first homes in Kildare back in 2010 at Kilcock, Athy, Cellbridge and nearby Liffey Square East in Sallins. The approved housing body has continued working with the local authority since then to deliver over 520 homes, with aims to deliver a further 200 homes in the County by the end of 2022. This pipeline also includes two cost rental projects which will introduce a new form of long-term sustainable home rental for moderate income earners. The Association now has over 8,500 homes nationwide in every local authority area, housing over 23,000 people, and is on course to deliver over 1,400 homes in 2022.

An Taoiseach Micheál Martin commented “Modern, safe and secure homes such as the ones delivered here at Castlefen are instrumental in fostering sustainable communities. I hope the security and comfort that they provide, backed by the support of Tuath, Kildare County Council and an active resident’s association, will continue to make this a vibrant and caring place to live for all residents, new and old. Housing is the number one priority in my view, that is why I am delighted to be here to witness firsthand the end result of collaboration between AHB’s, local authorities and our financial institutions, working together with government for our collective goal of providing more homes for those who need them.”

Cathaoirleach, Cllr. Naoise Ó Cearúil said “Kildare County Council has had a strong relationship with Tuath since 2010 and that partnership has ensured that over 520 homes have been delivered in the County. I’d like to take this opportunity to thank Tuath for their partnership over the past 12 years and look forward to seeing more homes being delivered in the future. Today’s announcement of 29 homes is wonderful news for 29 families that will make Castlefen their home. I’d like to thank the Taoiseach for being with us today and for his and the Government’s commitment to delivering housing for all.”

Daragh O’Sullivan, Chairman of Tuath’s Voluntary Board of Directors said “We are delighted to be working with Kildare County Council once more to provide new social homes in the County and, with a strong pipeline in place for 2022 look forward to continuing this strong partnership. As an Approved Housing Body, we aim to continue investing in people and places by providing more homes and more choice.”

 Barry O’Leary, CEO of the Housing Finance Agency noted “The HFA is delighted to support this new development in Castlefen which will provide a mix of superb one-, two- and three-bedroom homes for individuals and families in Kildare. We will continue to provide competitively priced long term fixed rate finance to Tuath, and others in the sector, to support the strong delivery of social and affordable homes across the country.”