The role of Approved Housing Bodies is “key to achieving” housing objectives, says Taoiseach

On Thursday 3rd November 2022, Taoiseach Micheál Martin officially launched Millrace Green, an estate of 22 homes situated off the Burrin Road on the outskirts of Carlow town. The homes were delivered by Co-operative Housing Ireland (CHI), an Approved Housing Body which currently provides 4,000 high quality homes to low-income households across Ireland.

Speaking about the Development, Taoiseach Micheál Martin said, “I’m delighted to officially welcome families and individuals to their new homes here in Millrace Green, a new Co-operative Housing Ireland housing development in Carlow town.”

An Taoiseach continued, “The direct delivery of homes by local authorities, and Approved Housing Bodies such as Co-operative Housing Ireland, is vital to address housing need across Ireland. Partnerships such as these and the role of Approved Housing Bodies, like Co-operative Housing Ireland, are key to achieving the objectives of Housing for All. The plan calls for the delivery of 90,000 social homes, approximately half of which will be delivered by providers like CHI.”

Millrace Green contains a mixture of A-rated terrace houses and own-door duplex apartments each fitted with energy efficient air-to-water heat pumps. The estate is situated in a predominately residential area within walking distance of Carlow town centre.

Speaking about the estate, Leas Cathaoirleach of Carlow. Cllr Michael Doran, said, “It’s wonderful to be here today to welcome families and individuals to their new homes at Millrace Green. We need more estates like this in Carlow town, with proximity to services and schools which any growing community needs. Millrace Green has a fantastic location, with a wide range of amenities on the doorstep including Fair Green Shopping Centre, which is served by a supermarket, clothing stores, a newsagents, cinema, and pharmacy. The estate is also within walking distance of Éire Óg GAA Club, several coffee shops, and a bus station which serves national and local routes.”

Speaking about the estate, Chairperson of CHI, Pearse O’Shiel, said, “CHI is very pleased to welcome new households to their forever homes here at Millrace Green. The estate is a beautiful, A-rated development of terrace homes and apartments delivered by CHI in Carlow. The estate was made possible through partnerships with Carlow County Council, the Housing Finance Agency, the Housing Agency and the Department of Housing Local Government and Heritage. It was built by local developers, Woodlawn Developments.”

Speaking about the estate local CHI Housing Officer, Paul Johnston said, “Each household in Millrace Green will be a member of the South Leinster Housing Co-operative, allowing people living in the estate to have a meaningful say in how their homes and communities are managed. The estate recently set up a Member Association to address the collective needs of those living here. They’ve been very proactive already, which is wonderful to see, applying for a community fund from CHI to install some goalposts for children to play safely at the back of the estate. CHI looks forward to watching the community flourish and mature over the coming years.”

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