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Minister for Housing and Mayor of the County of Cork cut ribbon on 95 new apartments

Today, Friday 28th April 2023 at 9:30am, the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage, Darragh O’Brien TD, and Mayor of the County of Cork, Cllr. Danny Collins, launched Cascade Apartments, a development of 95 apartments delivered by Co-operative Housing Ireland (CHI) in Carrigtwohill, Co. Cork. The launch came as CHI announced plans for a record-breaking year of housing delivery across the country.

Speaking about the housing crisis and its more recent issues, Chairperson of Co-operative Housing Ireland, Pearse O’Shiel, said at the launch, “The last few years have been a particularly challenging time for the housing sector, including Co-operative Housing Ireland. The impact of uncontrollable delays in construction resulted in us missing our 2022 target as the residual impact of the pandemic was surpassed by the war in Ukraine.”

Mr O’Shiel continued, “While construction delays have continued into early 2023 CHI’s ambitious aim is to deliver a record year for the organisation, with more than 700 homes. It is our hope that these truly affordable homes will help to alleviate housing need across the country. Celebrating days like this in Carrigtwohill is important, it reminds us of what we can do when we work together.”

Cascade Apartments provides for the greatest housing need. The homes are two-bedroom apartments for smaller, diverse, household types including one-child families, people with disabilities, families with adult children and older persons. A number of those housed came from emergency accommodation.

Commenting on the needs of smaller households, Mr O’Shiel said, “Cascade is particularly important as it meets the most pressing social housing need – providing homes to smaller households. The Cork Joint Housing Strategy and Housing Need Demand Assessment shows that 74% of Cork County’s social housing need is for one and two bed homes. The national picture is much the same with greatest need among single adults and one-child families.”

Speaking at the launch, Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage, Darragh O’Brien TD said, “I’m delighted to be here at the launch of Cascade Apartments in Carrigtwohill, Co. Cork as 95 families move into their forever homes. Success in delivering social housing can be seen here today. Co-operative Housing Ireland partnered with Cork County Council, the Housing Agency and Housing Finance Agency with support from my Department.”

Minister O’Brien continued, “I’m struck by the growth of Co-operative Housing Ireland over the last number of years, from 190 in 2017 to 592 in 2021. Last year due to supply chain issues and inflation housing delivery was immensely challenging and it is a tribute to CHI that they delivered 463 homes.”

The apartment block had been left derelict for many years before it was taken on by CHI to deliver affordable housing in the area.

Speaking at the launch, Mayor of the County of Cork, Cllr. Danny Collins said, “It is an honour to be at the launch of Co-operative Housing Ireland’s new housing development here in Carrigtwohill today. It is a great day for Cork County Council, a great day for Carrigtwohill as the community welcomes new residents to the locality, and a great day for CHI, as the organisation welcomes new members and builds on their delivery of social housing in Cork and Munster. The completion of this unfinished development in Carrigtwohill has helped remediate a derelict site and created high quality homes for 95 new households”.

Cascade was delivered in partnership with the Cork County Council, Housing Finance Agency, the Department of Housing, Planning and Local Government, the Housing Agency and Marlet Property Group.

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