Featured News Archives - Page 3 of 8

Dublin City Council officially launches first Cost Rental homes in partnership with Tuath

On Thursday, 26th September, Dublin City Council (DCC) and Tuath Housing officially launched the first cost rental homes in Dublin City.

This new development delivered by DCC in partnership with Tuath Housing is one of the largest public housing projects in the country and will cater for the needs of over 500 citizens.

Built by GEM Construction, De Verdon Place offers multiple community spaces, including rooftop gardens, an outdoor playground facility and Crèche. Families, couples and individuals have already begun moving into their new homes.

Housing Finance Agency and the Department of Housing offering an affordable, long term and secure form of rental tenure, with rents 31% below the local area average. Rents for the cost rental homes start at €1395.

77 Cost Rental Homes (23 one-bed, 54 two-bed)
161 Social Homes (25 one-bed, 136-two bed)

Councillor Naoise Ó Múirí on behalf of the Lord Mayor of Dublin said:

“It’s great to see the delivery of Dublin’s first set of cost-rental homes happening right here on the Northside. I wish our new tenants every success and I hope that they will be very happy here. I look forward to Dublin City Council scaling up its work with development partners to deliver more cost rental, social and of course affordable purchase homes for our communities right across the City.”

Minister for Housing, Darragh O’Brien, said:

“It’s great to see the scale of Housing for All at work on the ground here today. This development will provide secure, high-quality homes which will make a real difference in the lives of hundreds of families and individuals. It’s clear that the hard work and effective collaboration between local authorities like Dublin City Council and Approved Housing Bodies such as Tuath is delivering the quantity and mix of homes which are needed to meet our ambitious housing targets. ‘’It’s especially significant that this development contains Dublin City’s first cost-rental homes. The first of many. Cost rental is a key element of Housing for All and has already been extremely successful in providing stable, affordable, long-term rental homes for individuals and families. A recent report which Tuath commissioned in partnership with our other AHBs, found that 84% of respondents described their Cost Rental tenancy as very secure, many of the residents noted that the quality and size of their cost rental home was far superior to their previous accommodation in the private rental sector and that over 70% report having a positive relationship with their AHB landlord. As we continue to scale up cost rental delivery, we remain committed to providing affordable, sustainable and suitable housing options.”

Richard Shakespeare, Dublin City Council, Chief Executive:

“De Verdon Place is a fantastic new housing development with a great mix of tenure. The development is in a wonderful area on the Northside of Dublin with an array of amenities, facilities and services nearby. We would like to thank Tuath Housing for partnering with us to deliver De Verdon Place development. Finally, I’d like to warmly extend my best wishes to all the new residents as they embark on this exciting new chapter of their lives in their new homes.

Paddy Gray, Chair of Tuath Housing association:

“At Tuath, we are committed to providing secure, high-quality homes that are as affordable as possible for people across Ireland. We are delighted to be involved in the delivery of Dublin City Council’s first cost rental homes. As Ireland’s leading cost rental housing provider, we continue to support the Government and local authorities nationwide in the delivery of homes under this model. De Verdon is a prime example of working in partnership and emphasizes our dedication to expanding cost rental housing, ensuring long-term security, comfort, and high-quality accommodation in great communities.”

Tuath partners with Clúid & Respond to launch Cost Rental report

On Thursday, the first major piece of research in to Cost Rental housing in Ireland –‘The Impact of Cost Rental Housing: Security, Affordability and Place,’ was launched at Buswell’s Hotel in Dublin.

Tuath partnered with Approved Housing Bodies Clúid and Respond alongside researchers Dr. Michael Byrne (UCD) and Dr. Cian O’Callaghan (Trinity College Dublin) on this project which was funded by the Housing Agency. The report highlights the vital role of this new housing tenure in providing secure, affordable and high-quality homes.

OSM PHOTO – 12/09/2024 – REPRO FREE -Picture: Arthur Carron
Pictured are: David Silke, Housing Agency, Dr Cian O’Callaghan (Trinity College Dublin), Reyhana Cushran, Respond, Dr Michael Byrne (UCD) , Louise Thompson, Tuath and Cluid Tennant Mary Osakwe.

Key Findings

84% of respondents described their Cost Rental tenancy as very secure.
Only 24% worry about eviction, sometimes or frequently.
Over 70% report having a positive relationship with their AHB landlord.
81% felt confident contacting their landlord regarding repairs – underscoring their sense of security.
Many of the residents noted that the quality and size of their cost rental home was far superior to their previous accommodation in the private rental sector.

OSM PHOTO – 12/09/2024 – REPRO FREE – Picture: Arthur Carron
Pictured are: Reyhana Cushran, Respond, Louise Thompson, Tuath and David Silke, Housing Agency

OSM PHOTO – 12/09/2024 – REPRO FREE – Picture: Arthur Carron
. Pictured are: Reyhana Cushran, Respond, Louise Thompson, (left) Tuath and Cluid Tennant Mary Osakwe. (right)

The full press release is available here. To read the full report, click on the image below.

Tuath Housing celebrates launch of 2023 ESG Report

Tuath highlights its commitment to Environmental, Social and Governance principles with inaugural sustainability report.

Pat Barry, CEO of the Irish Green Building Council, officially launched Tuath’s 2023 ESG Report -‘Delivering sustainable homes for a better tomorrow’, at Tuath’s Dublin Office on James Place East.

Taking place during World Green Building Week, the launch was attended by government officials, statutory bodies, and professionals in the sustainability, social and affordable housing sectors.

The report outlines Tuath’s approach to sustainable development, incorporating the key pillars of sustainability: environment, social and governance and how they relate to the Sustainable Development Goals. The publication of the report follows the integration of a new strategic objective ‘A Sustainable Future’ into the organisation’s strategic business plan in 2023. As one of Ireland’s largest approved housing bodies, managing nearly 14,000 homes, Tuath aims is to embed sustainability across all aspects of its operations and to play a role in shaping the sustainable development of the AHB sector.

Tuath Housing Association’s Head of Sustainability, Kate Joyce, speaking at the launch of Tuath’s ESG Report 2023

The report highlights some of Tuath’s key ESG achievements to date. 76% of Tuath owned homes have an A+ BER rating while 85% have a minimum of B2 BER rating. In addition Tuath has invested in home energy upgrades for over 400 homes to date, resulting in warmer, more comfortable and energy efficient homes for our tenants.

Tuath is actively working to reduce its embodied carbon footprint and in 2023, 41% of Tuath home delivery was by way of Modern Methods of Construction (MMC) while Tuath is proud to be an Irish partner in an EU-funded project ‘Circular Reno’- a project which seeks to develop bio-based materials for construction and retrofit. In addition, Tuath has led in the refurbishment, regeneration and repurposing of derelict buildings, demonstrated to save up to 73% embodied carbon compared with a demolition and rebuild. Award winning projects such as Springville House in Cork City, saw the conversion of a vacant office building into age-friendly housing and showcases how Tuath is innovating to provide sustainable housing solutions.

Pat Barry, CEO of the Irish Green Building Council, speaking at the launch of Tuath’s ESG Report 2023

A highlight for Tuath under the social sustainability pillar was the investment of €750,000 in community enhancement and tenant engagement, as well as the hosting of over 500 community events throughout 2023. In 2023, Tuath also received a Bronze Award from the Irish Centre for Diversity for commitment to, equality, diversity and inclusion in the workplace.

Tuath acknowledges the significant challenges facing the AHB sector as nonprofits, in accessing funding for retrofits and meeting the costs associated with zero emission building standards for new builds from 2030. In that regard, Tuath is working with its Housing Alliance partners, and engaging with public sector stakeholders to ensure a comprehensive understanding of the challenges in raising private or public finance and to identify and assess a full range of potential solutions.

L-R: CEO of the Irish Green Building Council Pat Barry, Tuath’s Head of Sustainability Kate Joyce and Sean O’Connor, Chief Executive of Tuath Housing Association, at the launch of Tuath’s ESG Report 2023

Pat Barry, CEO of the Irish Green Building Council, who launched the report today, commented: “I’m honoured to officially launch Tuath Housing’s 2023 ESG Report. This report clearly demonstrates Tuath’s commitment to creating sustainable, energy-efficient homes while prioritising social and environmental responsibility. Approved Housing Bodies play an important role in not only reducing our carbon footprint in the housing sector, but also in creating stronger, more sustainable communities.

Chief Executive of Tuath Housing, Sean O’Connor, noted, “We are delighted to launch our 2023 ESG Report and share the progress and success we’ve achieved over the past year. Despite significant challenges facing the sector, we will continue our mission of providing high-quality, affordable housing and sustainable communities with our partners and stakeholders. The report reflects the dedication of all Tuath staff, supported by our experienced and dedicated voluntary board.”

Read the full report below:

Tuath Housing hosts eight summer camps and over ten summer events for residents around the county

In July and August, residents of all ages living in developments at Tuath were invited to participate in summer camps and events throughout Ireland.

Throughout the summer months, eight weeks of camps and over ten summer events took place for Tuath residents around Ireland. A variety of activities took place, facilitated and supported by a variety of organisations and funders.

These summer events and camps have empowered residents, both young and old, to build confidence, develop new skills & connect with their community by making new friends and connecting with neighbours. By providing opportunities for residents to participate in their local community and enhance their confidence and skills, Tuath empowers residents while continuing to foster sustainable communities.

Summer camps

Over three weeks in July and August Tuath partnered with Little Fitness, a social enterprise and not-for-profit organisation to host three camps which focused on fun and educational fitness for children of all abilities. Two camps took place in the community space at Aldborough in Greystones, Co. Wicklow while campers from Shackleton Hall, Lucan and Cooleven, Clondalkin joined together in Adamstown Community Centre for another enjoyable week funded by the HSE National Lottery Grant Scheme. Campers tried a wide variety of physical and creative activities, including classes in dance, fitness, hip hop, arts and crafts, with Weightlifting Ireland facilitating a weightlifting session.

In July, Tuath hosted two five-day summer camps for younger residents in Navan, Bettystown and Drogheda in Meath and Louth, facilitated by Starcamp. Campers learned essential confidence building, performance and presentation skills and even received a surprise visit from superman! Providing younger residents with opportunities to build these skills and abilities is a key objective of the Tuath Tenant Engagement Strategy 2022-25, as we continue to empower residents of all ages.

Glowcamps facilitated another camp week in July. Younger residents from various Tuath developments across North Dubiln came together to learn about Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics (STEM) and Lego.

Dundalk FC’s Oriel Park was the venue for 40 children living in Tuath homes across Dundalk to join a camp in July. Funded by Healthy Louth, the campers were very active and learned many new soccer skills. The highlight of the week was perhaps a visit from the Dundalk FC men’s first team who came to meet the young residents and sign autographs.

In Cork, residents of The Meadows in Knocknacullen were invited to a week of varied sports and activities, funded by Tuath Housing in Terence McSweney Hall. This is the second year that a Let’s Go Camp has taken place near The Meadows, as the Housing Finance Agency Social Investment Fund for local community initiatives supported the roll-out of this camp last year.

OSM PHOTO – 09/08/2024 – REPRO FREE for Editorial/Press – Picture: Michael O’Sullivan /OSM PHOTO

Summer Events

Over ten summer events took place in Tuath developments across the country throughout June, July and August.

In Cork, residents at Milestream, Shanakiel enjoyed ‘Sports on the Green,’ while a Summer Festival took place in Bishop’s Avenue.

Meanwhile in Dublin, there was face painting, magic and doughnuts for residents of Burnell, North Dublin. At Woodside on the Enniskerry Road, residents were invited to an end of summer arts and crafts event, creating beautiful art from sustainable supplies like paper, paper plate and lollipop sticks. In Ellis Court, there was entertainment, food and fun for their end of summer event.

In Kilternan, younger residents and their families had fun dancing, playing games and enjoying a meal together. Members of the Tuath Property Services department attended, giving residents a chance to talk with staff from the repairs and maintenance team. Initiatives like this provide a wonderful opportunity for resident involvement, as residents can talk with Tuath staff and seek solutions to their concerns, while allowing Tuath to make resident-informed service delivery decisions.

In Cois Cuain, Drogheda, residents hired a mobile video game van and kid’s soft play bus, with the assistance of funding from Tuath. Liscorrie Residents’ Association in Drogheda were also supported by Tuath funding to have an event on the estate’s green. At Dundoogan in Dundalk, the Residents’ Association hosted an end of summer family fun day where attendees enjoyed an ice cream van, snacks and hot drinks in the shining sun.

With funding from the HSE, Community groups at Kickham Street and Mill Crescent in Carrick-On-Suir, Tipperary, combined to host a Community Fun Day filled with entertainment, games and bubbles to wrap up the summer holidays. Two days of events in Wexford were also made possible through HSE funding as residents at Kerlogue Manor, Forgelands, Ramstown and Gleann An Ghairdín enjoyed a mobile farm event from Nore Valley Park Mobile Farm for residents to enjoy and feed the animals.

Congratulations to all residents and staff involved in these events and camps throughout the summer months. Thank you to facilitators and funders for their support in empowering and connecting with residents throughout the country at Tuath.

Tuath partners with DriveYou carsharing services across four developments in Dublin

Residents at four developments in Dublin can now book a vehicle on demand near their home, offering a sustainable and affordable transport option.

left to right: Ronan Finn – Locations Growth, Driveyou. Jennifer Whitty – Sustainability Coordinator, Tuath Housing. Jonathan Roche – Managing Director, Driveyou. Pictured at Kilternan Woods, Enniskerry Road, Tuath Housing)

Tuath has partnered with car-sharing service DriveYou to provide four cars and a designated parking spot in four developments across South Dublin. Residents at these developments in Carrickmines, Kilternan, Sandyford and Tallaght can now avail of this paid service through an application on their mobile phones.

By reducing the reliance on personal vehicle ownership, this innovative collaboration between residents, DriveYou and Tuath commits to a greener environment by reducing the number of vehicles on roads, greenhouse gas emissions, air pollution and traffic congestion.

This innovative partnership forms part of Tuath’s commitment to embedding sustainability into all aspects of our operations. In addition to making transport more environmentally-friendly, this eco-friendly alternative to car ownership further strengthens social sustainability at Tuath by making car-based transport increasingly accessible and affordable for residents. Additionally, with the rollout of DriveYou, Tuath continues to foster sustainable communities by providing this shared resource, thus fostering a sense of communal responsibility for sustainable living.

“We’re excited to introduce this new car-sharing service to the residents of Dublin’s outskirts,” said Jennifer Whitty of Tuath Housing. “Our goal is to provide a reliable, affordable, and eco-friendly alternative to car ownership. We believe Driveyou will significantly benefit those living in these areas, offering them greater mobility while contributing to a reduction in traffic and pollution.”

Tuath would like to take this opportunity to thank residents and DriveYou as partners in this sustainable initiative.

First Irish home retrofit completed under Circular Reno project

Led by KORE Retrofit, Tuath Housing is proud to be a part of the Irish segment of the Circular Reno project. The first retrofit of a Tuath residents’ home, using off-site manufactured low-carbon Expanded Polystyrene (EPS) wall panels, marks a significant milestone in the initiative.

These panels, produced at KORE Retrofit’s factory in Kilnaleck, Co. Cavan, were transported directly to the site and installed on the external walls, demonstrating the efficiency of modern construction methods.

This retrofit is the first of ten Tuath homes to receive substantial energy upgrades, aligning with our commitment to sustainability and innovation. In addition to the EPS panel, the home now features:

Demand control ventilation: Enhances indoor air quality and energy efficiency by regulating airflow based on occupancy and air quality.
Heat pump with 7 new radiators: Provides efficient and sustainable heating throughout the home.
2 zoned heating controls: Allows for precise temperature management across different areas of the house.
New triple glazed windows and doors: Improves insulation and reduces energy loss.
Cavity wall insulation: Adds an extra layer of thermal protection.
2kW solar PV system: Generates renewable energy, reducing the home’s carbon footprint and energy costs.

We are proud to be at the forefront of sustainable housing solutions in Ireland, demonstrating the potential of low-carbon construction materials and innovative retrofitting techniques. We look forward to continuing the successful implementation of Circular Reno, a transformative initiative under the Sustainability Interreg North-West Europe programme.

Young Tuath Residents Graduate from Hairstyling & Barbering Programme

Last week, participants of a 10-week Hairstyling & Barbering Programme showed their newfound skills through catwalks and moodboard presentations at their graduation.

The aim of the programme, a collaboration between HairTogether & Tuath, was to combine personal development, creativity and wellbeing through hairstyling and barbering.

We offered the course, which was made possible through the Housing Finance Agency’s Social Investment Fund, to young residents aged 14-17 based in North Dublin. Throughout the programme, the young students learned skills and techniques in relation to hairdressing and barbering while being encouraged to understand the importance of their mental health.

We would like to take this opportunity to thank the HFA for funding and support.

Thank you also to HairTogether, barbers, hairdressers and the psychotherapist who supported the students over the ten weeks.

Tuath proud to receive Bronze Smarter Travel Mark from National Transport Authority

On Tuesday 9th July, Tuath’s James’s Place East office in Dublin 2 received the Smarter Travel Mark at Bronze Level from the National Transport authority.

On Tuesday 9th July, Tuath’s James’s Place East office in Dublin 2 received the Smarter Travel Mark at Bronze Level from the National Transport authority.

The Smarter Travel Mark was received in recognition of Tuath’s commitment to changing attitudes and behaviours regarding walking, cycling and public transport usage. This has been achieved by implementing measures that facilitate, support and encourage sustainable travel options for our workforce and visitors.

Tuath received this award in recognition of initiatives that encourage sustainable travel to and from the office, including:

Promoting public transport, walking & cycling through improved information available and facilities for walkers and cyclists, including updated sustainable travel options on the Tuath website.
Improved facilities for cyclists including covered and secure bike parking, showers and a bike puncture repair kit.
Sustainable travel communication plan.
Work policies to promote sustainable travel.
Participation in challenges and promotions like ‘Walktober,’ ‘Marchathon,’ and National Bike Week.

Sean O’Connor, Tuath CEO, on receiving this award:

‘I am delighted to confirm that Tuath Housing – James’s Place East office, has achieved the Smarter Travel Mark at Bronze level. This recognition highlights our commitment to sustainable travel initiatives and shows the importance we place on promoting active and sustainable transport. Congratulations to everyone involved in reaching this significant milestone. We will continue to work together towards a greener, more sustainable future.’

Following the awarding of the Bronze Smarter Travel mark, Tuath will continue its commitment to sustainable travel for employees and visitors by supporting the choice of environmentally friendly transport options in the coming months.

Make sure to check out how visitors can get to the Tuath office sustainably here.

Results Published For Quarter 2 Tenant Satisfaction Survey

Results from a survey carried out during Quarter 2 in 2024 have just been published, detailing resident’s experiences with the way Tuath delivers key services and maintains their homes.

Results from a survey carried out during Quarter 2 in 2024 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 Q2 2024.

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.”