sustainability Archives - Tuath Housing

Tuath opens applications for 2025 Climate Action Fund

The Tuath Climate Action Fund is now open for applications!

We are delighted to announce that applications for the Tuath Climate Action Fund are now open! This fund has been launched as part of the Tuath Foundation to support community-led projects focused on climate action and sustainability.

With over 15,000 homes and more than 37,000 residents, Tuath is uniquely placed to support residents in their sustainability journey. Last year, in collaboration with the Housing Alliance and the Housing Agency, Tuath surveyed residents on their thoughts about climate and sustainability. We had a phenomenal response rate showing how important the topic is to residents. The survey found that 85% of respondents are concerned about climate change. Further, many residents outlined ways they wished to engage further on a wide range of sustainability topics. This survey provided us with valuable insight and has guided our approach to engaging with residents on environmental topics. The Climate Action Resident Fund is one of the many ways we aim to create lasting positive change for residents and their communities.

Residents and community groups can apply for grants ranging from €500 to €5,000 for initiatives like community gardens, climate workshops, bike racks, composting, biodiversity projects, rainwater harvesting, and green skills training.

This fund aims to raise awareness, encourage sustainable behaviours and empower residents to make a positive environmental impact in their local areas.

Apply now to build a greener, more sustainable future for your community!

Applications are open from 1 July and will close on 8 August. Following this a judging panel will review all applications. Successful applicants will be contacted directly.

Applications must be submitted via an online form: Climate Action Fund Application Form

For ideas and inspiration, alongside terms and conditions, visit Tuath Foundation or email: [email protected]

Tuath Housing launches Biodiversity Booklet for Residents at sustainable Navan Easter event

On Wednesday 16 April in Navan, Tuath Housing hosted a sustainable Easter event to celebrate the launch of the new Tuath Biodiversity Booklet for Residents.

This exciting new booklet offers residents information and tips on how they can enhance biodiversity in their homes and communities.

At the event itself, Meath Library was present for children’s storytelling and a craft workshop. In line with the theme of sustainability at this event, Voice Ireland delivered a workshop to residents highlighting the importance of recycling.. After the workshop, a children’s entertainer set up games, played music and painted faces.

This Easter event marks one of many festive activities being hosted by Tuath Housing over the school break, as we continue to develop strong and sustainable communities nationwide.

Learn more by clicking on the image below:

Tuath hosts sustainable events ahead of the festive season

Tuath holds warm clothes swap and toy exchange at De Verdon Place to help residents prepare for the winter months in new community space

As part of ‘Sustainable September,’ Tuath held a clothing exchange in De Verdon Place, Dublin 17. Tuath staff and residents came together to give a new lease of life to pre-loved clothes by exchanging clothing items and creating a new sustainable wardrobe. The focus was on winter clothes such as coats, scarves and wooly hats ahead of the winter months.

In November, residents came together to trade pre-loved toys and household items for Tuath’s first ever toy swap event, also held at De Verdon Place on the Malahide Road. Blending festive cheer with a commitment to sustainability, the initiative encouraged residents to donate pre-loved toys in great condition, creating a shared pool of items that could find new homes just in time for Christmas. From stuffed animals to building blocks, the donations reflected the community’s generosity and creativity. Many families from the area took home something new to play with, while ensuring that used toys found a new home and didn’t go to waste. The initiative was organised with the aim of promoting sustainability in the community, while also helping families to plan and budget in the run-up to Christmas.

Initiatives like these reduce our carbon footprint by promoting the sustainable use of clothes, toys and household items. By reusing and repurposing, we collectively reduce waste and embrace the idea that meaningful gifts don’t always have to come wrapped in shiny, brand-new packaging.

Beyond the environmental benefits, there are social sustainability advantages to such initiatives. These swaps strengthen bonds in De Verdon Place and neighbouring developments by offering an opportunity to come together, share resources, and create a joyful festive experience that is kind to both the planet and wallet.

To learn more about Tuath’s mission to create a more sustainable future, visit the Sustainability page on our website.

https://tuathhousing.ie/esg-sustainability/

Irish Council for Social Housing Finance & Development Conference 2024

Tuath Housing was pleased to attend and participate in the Irish Council for Social Housing (ICSH) Finance & Development Conference 2024 in Sligo this week.

Tuath was shortlisted for the ICSH Social Impact Award 2024 at the ICSH Conference, while members of staff from across the organisation spoke on important topics in the Irish social housing sector such as delivery, sustainability and resident involvement across the two-day event.

On Wednesday 16th October, Director of Property Services Nick Sheward and Senior Sustainability Coordinator Jennifer Whitty pitched the Circular Reno Project for the ICSH Social Impact Challenge 2024. Tuath was shortlisted for this award, which highlights projects that promote Environmental, Social and Governance practice in housing and communities.

Tuath is an Irish partner for this EU project which seeks to develop modular bio-based construction materials from Agri-crops for application in modular construction retrofit. The pilot Irish home in this project was completed in July 2024, and Tuath plans to similarly retrofit a further ten homes throughout Ireland with this project.

Further details on this project can be found here and here.

In parallel sessions across the conference, further Tuath representatives spoke on Wednesday afternoon. Aileen Gallagher, Head of New Business and Delivery at Tuath, explored challenges and opportunities for social housing providers in Ireland during the ‘Meeting Cost Rental and Affordable Housing Demand’ panel. Kate Joyce, Head of Sustainability and Strategic Projects, discussed Tuath’s commitment to embedding sustainability into all aspects of our organisation throughout the afternoon’s ‘Embedding Social & Environmental Best Practice into Development’ discussion.

On Thursday morning, Nick Sheward, Director of Property Services, talked about how we put residents’ experiences at the heart of our work at Tuath during the ‘Safeguarding Communities Over Commodities’ event. He spoke about how services at Tuath are resident-led and how we empower and connect with residents to ensure their voices are heard.

Tuath would like to thank the Irish Council for Social Housing who organised this conference, providing an opportunity to connect with partners, stakeholders and colleagues across the Irish social housing sector.

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.

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.