Respond: Delivering large scale, mixed-tenure developments in Ireland

In the face of Ireland’s housing crisis, Respond, a construction-led approved housing body (AHB) and service provider, is pioneering an innovative approach to housing development and placemaking in urban areas.

Respond has approved plans to move forward with the construction of large-scale mixed-tenure developments across Dublin, including sites in Charlestown (590 homes), Tallaght (502 homes), Clonburris (318 homes), and Donaghmede (397 homes). The first 1,800 of a total 2,906 total homes will be built across these four sites. These projects will split approximately 50:50 between cost rental and social homes.

A new era in housing: large scale, mixed tenure developments

The developments will be the first large-scale mixed-tenure schemes delivered by an AHB in Ireland, with the first homes due to be completed by September 2024. With 1,508 homes already in construction, this will bring the number of homes Respond has in construction to 4,414, expanding the value of its construction programme over the next 12 months to €2 billion.

Respond will leverage its large development and property team’s expertise to oversee and deliver these developments. In addition, the organisation is well placed to successfully deliver and manage these developments with over 40 years of housing management experience and a 92 per cent tenant satisfaction rate according to a Behaviour and Attitudes Survey undertaken in 2023.

Cost rental

Respond were among the first AHBs to deliver cost rental homes. The cost rental housing model is designed to provide secure, affordable housing for people, with rents set at a level that covers the cost of the construction, management, and maintenance of the new homes. Here rents are set at a minimum of 25 per cent below the market rents in the area where the homes are located offering a long-term secure and affordable home. The success of this tenure is crucial in responding to the needs of many households who do not qualify for social housing supports and find it hard to access affordable housing to rent or buy within the private sector. In November 2023, Respond received 575 applications for 13 new cost-rental homes in Swords in just three days, emphasising the high demand for such secure, affordable homes.

The urban village placemaking approach: building communities

By integrating social and cost rental homes, we aim to create diverse and inclusive communities. Respond offer both social and cost rental homes as ‘lifetime homes’ providing tenants a secure and affordable long-term tenancy. The cornerstone of Respond’s strategy is the urban village placemaking approach. This concept focuses on creating small, integrated neighbourhoods within larger urban areas, designed to be pedestrian-friendly and diverse. These urban villages combine housing, shops, workplaces, parks, and recreational facilities, fostering a vibrant street life and reducing the need for long commutes.

Key characteristics of the approach include:

• Human scale: Designed to be walkable and human-scaled, meaning they are built to a size and scale that feels comfortable for people, rather than for cars or large-scale infrastructure.
• Mixed-use development: These areas typically combine housing, shops, workplaces, parks, and recreational facilities in close proximity. This mix encourages a vibrant street life and reduces the need for long commutes.
• Community focus: Public spaces, like squares and parks, are central to the design, encouraging social interaction and community activities.
• Diverse and inclusive: A variety of housing types are included to accommodate a diverse population.

“Respond’s vision extends far beyond the realm of quality construction. Their housing model advocates for ‘lifetime homes’, ensuring secure, affordable long-term tenancy.”

Lifetime homes: a commitment beyond quality construction

Respond’s vision extends far beyond the realm of quality construction. Their housing model advocates for ‘lifetime homes’, ensuring secure, affordable long-term tenancy. This vision is reinforced by the presence of on-site staff, dedicated to providing high-level, professional services to tenants, and fostering community engagement and development. This will include:

• tenant involvement and support as needed;
• developing and improving public spaces;
• helping people feel connected to their community; and
• working with local businesses and community groups.

Elanora Court

Tenants have recently moved into a new 153 home development at the new Respond development Elanora Court on Dublin’s Long Mile Road.

Elanora Court brings affordable living to a new level, with bright, well-designed modern homes located close to many great amenities and easy links to public transport. The development was designed to offer spacious, modern living and built with comfort, safety, and wellbeing in mind. The development includes landscaped gardens, seating and play areas, Community Hub and a permanent on site Respond staff member.

Respond will work with tenants to determine how to best use the shared community space and develop a programme of events based around the community that live there.

As well as being superbly located, Elanora Court features homes built to a quality that is second to none. All of the homes have an impressive A BER rating, making them highly efficient and environmentally friendly.

T: 01 808 7700
E: info@respond.ie
W: www.respond.ie