community Archives - Page 2 of 6

Tuath Housing celebrates record-breaking success in 2023

2,482 homes delivered across Ireland amidst unprecedented achievements

Bob Jordan, CEO of The Housing Agency, officially launched the report at Tuath’s Dublin Office on James Place East, with attendance from government officials, statutory bodies, local authorities, and professionals in the social and affordable housing sectors.

Tuath Housing, one of Ireland’s largest approved housing bodies, worked in partnership with its many stakeholders to deliver a record 2,482 homes in 2023, providing housing for over 7,000 people across 16 local authorities nationwide. The organisation reported an impressive annual income of €134 million. Additionally, 66 new staff members were hired, bringing the total workforce to 215 employees across five offices nationwide.

The report highlights significant achievements, including the addition of 2,482 new homes, bringing the total number of homes under management to 13,000. Tuath continued its commitment to cost rental housing, delivering over 450 cost rental homes to date with an additional 2,000 coast rental homes in the pipeline. Cost rental provides secure, long-term rental options for middle-income earners ineligible for social housing supports.

Financial resilience was a cornerstone of Tuath’s success in 2023, with €406 million invested in building and acquiring new homes. The historical cost value of the housing stock stands at €1.9 billion, reflecting robust financial health. Tuath also secured the first Credit Union debt facility of €25 million, reinforcing its financial stability.

Sustainability was at the forefront of Tuath’s efforts, marked by the completion of energy upgrade works on 185 homes and participation in the Circular Reno project, a European Union-funded initiative focused on scalable biobased deep energy retrofit packages. These initiatives demonstrate Tuath’s commitment to creating environmentally friendly and sustainable communities.

Currently, Tuath has 5,000 homes in its pipeline, working with its partners to invest in people, places, and communities by providing more homes and greater choice.

Bob Jordan, CEO of the Housing Agency, expressed his support for Tuath Housing’s achievements, emphasising the critical role of approved housing bodies in addressing Ireland’s housing needs.

Prof. Paddy Gray, Chair of Tuath’s Voluntary Board of Directors, stated, “Tuath is a people-driven organisation, committed to first-class customer service. This annual report showcases our achievements, hard work, and investment in 2023, ensuring the continuation of social and affordable housing delivery into the future.”

CEO of Tuath Housing, Sean O’Connor, commented, “We are thrilled to launch our 2023 Annual Report and share the progress and success we’ve achieved over the past year. Despite challenges posed by inflation and the rising cost of living, we have remained committed to our mission of providing high-quality housing to those in need. The report reflects the dedication of all Tuath staff, supported by our experienced and dedicated voluntary board.”

Tuath Housing Community Fund 2023

Tuath’s Community Funding Continues to Empower Local Projects and Help Build Sustainable Communities

A highlight of Tuath’s commitment to building vibrant and sustainable communities is the Tuath Housing Community Fund. Each year €10,000 is invested through the Community Fund to support projects where Tuath residents live. Applications can be made for €250 or up to €1,000.

In 2024, the Community Fund was increased to €25,000 in line with the increasing demand from communities. Residents’ Groups can apply annually for financial support from this fund, providing them with the means to undertake projects that contribute to the well-being of their communities.

This year, 19 community projects were supported through the fund such as Residents Groups, Family Resource Centres, Tusla-Child & Family Support Network, Youth Centre and many area based local support services to our residents. We supported local communities through funding which has a significant impact on the well-being and overall quality of life for the people living there.

By investing in local services and resources, organisations like Tuath Housing Community Funds can help to strengthen community bonds, promote togetherness, and build more sustainable communities.

Check out some of the groups below that received funding through this years Tuath Community Fund:

Tuath Celebrates World Book and Copyright Day

Communities Receive Library Boxes as Part of World Book and Copyright Day Celebration

Tuath staff, residents, local Gardaí and staff from Dublin Libraries at Burnell Place, Dublin for the celebration event to mark World Book and Copyright Day

Tuath Housing marked World Book and Copyright Day on April 23rd with a network of events promoting literacy and community engagement across developments in Cork, Dublin, Meath, Wicklow and Kildare. On the day, several community library boxes were unveiled as part of a wider effort to encourage reading and learning, particularly among younger residents.

Member of An Gardaí reading to a young resident at Burnell Place, Dublin

The initiative was the result of wider collaboration between Tuath and several organisaton partners. To produce the boxes, Tuath teamed up with PACE (Pathways to Accessing Community Employment), a voluntary organisation dedicated to supporting individuals reintegrating into society after involvement with the criminal justice system.

Participants in the PACE initiative produced the Libraries for World Book and Copyright Day celebrations

In addition to PACE, Tuath collaborated with children’s book charities, the National Adult Literacy Agency (NALA), and local libraries to ensure a diverse and engaging collection of reading materials for the community library boxes. This effort also included encouraging residents to sign up for local library memberships, strengthening connections between Tuath developments and already established community resources.

Young resident in Wicklow with her new book

Children’s Books Ireland generously donated 30 books to be shared among the schemes, while Coolock local library contributed a substantial number of books. The Community Gardai also showed their support at the events, while at Stepaside in Dublin, Dundrum Library staff were on site to sign up attendees also. In Meath, Navan Library generously donated books for younger attendees while at Arus Mhuire in Cork, residents swapped books and donated for the community library box.

Tuath Tenant Engagement Officer Amanda McDonnell (Left) with staff from Dundrum Libraries at the Woodside, Dublin event

At all the events, residents were encouraged to ‘Bring A Book & Take A Book’. We hope this initiative will give residents direct access to reading material and also provide an opportunity to share their much-loved books with their friends and neighbours in the community.

Residents of Arus Mhuire, Cork (Left) and Tuath staff, residents and Meath County Council (Right) celebrate World Book and Copyright Day

Tuath launches Year 1 Monitoring Report for 2022-25 Tenant Engagement Strategy

Tuath launched the Year 1 Monitoring Report for the Tuath 2022-25 Tenant Engagement Strategy at events across Dublin on Tuesday 26 March.

The report highlights the events and initiatives facilitated by residents and employees at Tuath throughout 2023 which work towards the goals of the strategy. The strategy endeavours to involve, enable, communicate with, build, integrate, embed and empower residents through positive connection, communication, consultation and support.

Tuath would like to thank all teams in Tuath, residents, residents’ groups, local authorities, community partners, interagency organisations and all those who have transformed the Tuath vision into reality, creating an environment where tenant engagement is not just a strategy but a way of life.

The report and strategy can be found in Tuath publications.

We look forward to continuing our work with residents, partners and stakeholders in the Tuath community and affordable housing sector.

Be Winter Ready

As the cold weather sets in, households may face high energy bills. This page includes useful advice and tips including Budgeting/ Financial Tips, Cost-of-living payments & welfare entitlements, Energy Customer Rights/ Entitlements.

You can also find useful information in SEAI’s ‘Reduce your Use’ booklet here:

It is important to stay safe during the colder months. Please visit the Gov.ie ‘Be Winter Ready’ page with lots of information on how to stay safe during the winter months, and where to find help should you need it.

https://www.gov.ie/en/campaigns/aa78b9-be-winter-ready/#

1. Energy Saving Tips in the home

Did you know there are ways you can reduce your energy and fuel consumption in your home? Check out the following energy saving tips:

2. Cost of Living Payments & Welfare Entitlements

Did you know that in the 2023 Budget there are payments to help those households who may be on a lower income. Have a look at our Budget 2023 Cost of Living Payments guide to find what you might be entitled to and when you should receive it.

To view the latest Cost of Living Payments available from Budget 2024, including upcoming energy bill credits, visit the Citizen’s Information page here:

https://www.citizensinformation.ie/en/money-and-tax/cost-of-living

You also might be entitled to social welfare payments and income that you are not already claiming.

3. Information on Electricity Supplier

Make sure you know your rights and entitlements this winter when it comes to your electricity supply and rates. Contact Electric Ireland on 1800 372 372. You can also find more information on the Commission for Regulation of Utilities website on how to deal with your utility supplier or network operator: https://www.cru.ie/home/customer-care/

Rent Review 2023 Survey

Review: Tuath’s New Horizons Educations Bursary 2023

In 2023, Tuath Housing launched its inaugural “New Horizon” Education Bursary. The funding provided forms part of Tuaths’ commitment under the Tenant Engagement Strategy 2022-2025 to support residents to partake in accredited or non-accredited courses, short or long-term. Funding provided varied from €250 to €1000. The overall funding was €20,000, all of the funding was allocated, the New Horizons Education Bursary received a positive engagement from Tuath residents.

Introduction

The new fund launched in May of 2023 across all of Tuath Housings social media platforms, Tuath Housing website and advertised in the Spring/ Summer residents’ magazine. A trusting relationship was built with residents and Tuaths Tenant Engagement team to assist residents with the application process. Residents expressed different opinions and expectations about starting and returning to education. These included boosting confidence and social skills, meeting new people, and enhancing their employability skills. Tuaths Tenant Engagement team helped with any additional supports required to support applicants. There was a positive response for the bursary, over 120 people expressed interest, whilst 80 applicants completed an application, and overall, 22 residents were approved the bursary.

Below is a summary of the application process, a breakdown of the courses and the funding provided to each applicant.

Application Process

Number of Enquiries and Submission Methods

Approximately 120 people expressed an expression of interest in the bursary. The advertisements for the bursary were on all Tuath social platforms and Tuath Housing website. There were also posters created with QR codes which were disseminated collectively by Housing Service Coordinators and the Tenant Engagement team to the residents whilst onsite.

There were various submission methods for applicants to apply:

QR codes which gave the applicants as an option to scan and access application and apply directly online for education bursary.
Alternative options were also accessible to applicants whereby they could get their applications sent through post or sent by email directly to their email account.

Application Response
Some of the applicants were residents and non-residents as well as applicants who did meet the course criteria. Below is a brief analysis of the applicants that expressed interest and put forward an application.3.

Application Analysis
Breakdown of expression of interest, total applications received, and total applications approved for bursary.

A. – Approval Statistics

Expression of Interest: 120
Total Applications: 59
Residents Approved: 22

Below is a breakdown of applicants that were Ineligible for bursary.

B. – Ineligible Applicants

Non-residents
Applicants applied for funding for equipment and materials rather than course fees
Some applicants were in receipt of government and other education funding
Lack of correspondence after application submission did not return necessary documentation
Some residents applying for the bursary next academic year 2024

C. – Eligible Applicants

The following table lists the various courses and college that the 22 residents have signed up to. The majority of funding was paid directly to educational institutions to pay full or partial fees for residents towards short- and long-term courses which are accredit and non-accredited.

Judging Panel
The Education Bursary panel consisted of one member of Tuath Board of Management and two Tuath Housing Managers. We would like to thank the judging panel for their time in assisting the Tenant Engagement team with the bursary process.

Conclusion
In 2023, the New Horizons Education Bursary proved to be an enormous success! Over 22 Tuath residents will benefit from funding that will help them progress on their personal and professional journey. We wish all of the recipients the best of luck this year.
In 2024, we will contact our residents to learn more about their experiences and how they are progressing with their educational journey. We will also open the 2024 bursary in two phases next year (January to May and August to November) due to the bursary’s overwhelming demand. Accessibility will be provided by a biannual bursary opening.

Tuath strengthens commitment to sustainability with new strategic objective: ‘A Sustainable Future.’

Tuath has doubled down on its commitment to sustainability with the inclusion of a separate key pillar in its Strategic Plan.

The establishment of this new Strategic Objective underscores Tuath’s dedication to environmental responsibility and sustainability. Sustainability, for Tuath, means achieving a harmonious balance between organisational growth, the delivery of homes, environmental care, good governance, ethical responsibility and social well-being for tenants, employees, and communities.

Business Plan ESG Commitment:

Tuath is actively embedding environmental, social, and governance (ESG) best practices into its operations. The business plan emphasises reducing our carbon footprint, ensuring good governance, and upholding social responsibility.

Tuath is developing a roadmap towards a lower carbon and sustainable future for both the organisation and tenants.

Key initiatives include:

Statutory Reporting Preparation
- Tuath is preparing for statutory reporting under the Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD), becoming mandatory from 2026. The organisation is working with Deloitte to establish best practices for its first CSRD return.
ESG Reporting Framework
- Tuath has established an ESG Reporting Framework, including targets and metrics, to collate data for future statutory reporting. This framework covers waste management, energy consumption, biodiversity impact, and more.
ESG Working Group and GREEN Team
- An internal ESG Working Group and a staff member GREEN Team have been established, comprising senior management, board members, and staff representation. These teams focus on strategic and practical implementation of sustainability initiatives across the business.
Carbon Footprint Reduction
- Tuath has completed a Scope 1 & 2 carbon footprint analysis of the organisation, demonstrating a 16% decrease in carbon intensity since 2020. Targets for energy efficiency and climate action have been established to build upon this progress.

Sustainable Development and Renovation

Tuath is actively engaged in sustainable development and renovation projects nationwide.

Key Actions & Commitments

Annual ESG reporting in accordance with the ESG Charter and Framework.
Preparation for reporting under the Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive from 2025.
Continuous reduction of carbon emissions and improved energy efficiency.
A Social Value Framework to assess the impact on tenant and community well-being.
Exemplary governance and regulatory compliance, operating with integrity and transparency.

Tuath remains dedicated to making the social and affordable housing more sustainable, delivering positive environmental and social impacts for residents, employees, and the wider community.

Tuath’s CEO Sean O’Connor said “Tuath’s ESG charter echoes our unwavering commitment to weaving environmental consciousness, social responsibility, and ethical governance into the fabric of our operations. At Tuath, sustainability isn’t just a goal; it’s a journey, and our ESG charter is the roadmap guiding us toward a future where every home we build, and every community we are part of is sustainable.”

Will McCabe, Board Director, ” I find immense purpose in Tuath’s ESG commitment. It’s more than a set of principles; it’s our collective responsibility to leave a positive impact. With every decision, we affirm our dedication to sustainable practices, community well-being, and ethical governance. Tuath’s ESG charter reflects not just our values but our promise to stakeholders that we’re shaping a future where social and environmental considerations are integral to our success.”

“Tuath’s Head of Sustainability Kate Joyce emphasised, ‘Our commitment to sustainability goes beyond rhetoric—it is now embedded within our strategic plan. We’re not just building homes; we’re creating a sustainable future for both people and the planet.”

Results Published For Quarter 3 Tenant Satisfaction Survey

Results from a survey carried out during Quarter 3 in 2023 have just been published, detailing resident’s experiences with the way Tuath delivers key services and maintains their homes. Tuath is delighted to announce that over eight out of ten residents are satisfied with the overall service provided by Tuath Housing (83%).

Carrying out this survey is just part of the work Tuath Housing does to involve residents in developing services. As well as publishing the results of the survey, Tuath Housing plans to put the findings to good use by working with residents to further improve the services provided to them.

Please click on the image below to view the Tuath Housing Resident Satisfaction Survey Q3 2023

Tuath Earns Age Friendly Recognition Accreditation

Tuath is pleased to announce the recent achievement of the Age Friendly Business Recognition accreditation as it concludes its participation in Positive Ageing Week 2023 celebrations. The accreditation recognises the adequate service provision for older persons by retailers and service providers.

In late 2022, members of Tuath Housing’s tenant engagement team underwent training with Age Friendly Ireland to become champions of the Age Friendly Business Recognition programme. Their primary role was to develop a charter of commitments to enhance the living experiences of older residents.

To ensure a comprehensive understanding of older resident’s needs and preferences, Tuath Housing conducted an extensive survey, featuring 26 questions covering various aspects of living conditions. Subsequently, the survey was administered in person by Tuath staff to 213 households across eight pilot schemes between July and August 2023.

The survey delved into areas such as social engagement, communication preferences, accessibility to outdoor areas, mobility and transportation, housing conditions, technology and digital accessibility, as well as health and community support services. The insights gained from this survey have been published in a comprehensive report that outlines findings and recommendations. Read the full report here:

Tuath Housing is committed to using these findings to ensure that older residents continue to feel safe and secure in their homes. By partaking in initiatives such as Positive Aging Week, Tuath is also dedicated to building strong connections within the community and providing meaningful engagement opportunities for its older residents.

Positive Ageing Week, an initiative by Age Action, is an annual event dedicated to promoting and highlighting the positive aspects of aging. This year, Tuath Housing’s tenant engagement and housing teams actively participated in Positive Ageing Week across eight of its older person schemes located in Clonmullion, Co. Kildare, Killinchy, Co. Laois, La Touche, Co. Wicklow, Raleigh Square, Dublin, Castlemanor, Co, Cavan, Knightsbridge, Co. Meath and Castleross, Co. Monaghan.

The events and activities held during Positive Ageing Week included planting days, afternoon tea gatherings, guest speaker sessions, arts and crafts workshops, and healthy eating awareness and chair yoga sessions.

We at Tuath, would like to acknowledge the ongoing contributions of older persons within Tuath communities. Likewise, we would like to thank staff, attendees, and partner organisations involved in the Positive Aging Week celebrations, for helping us foster a sense of community, and create a more age-friendly and inclusive environment.