Tuath Housing: Quality homes that people can afford
In 2023, Tuath Housing brought a record 2,482 new homes into management for more than 7,000 people, across 16 local authorities nationwide.
Tuath currently has some 5,000 homes on site and in the development pipeline, and is working with its partners to further invest in people, places, and communities. With 14,000 homes in management across Ireland, Tuath has housed 37,000 people nationwide since the not-for-profit housing association let its first built home in 2006.
The organisation underlined its commitment to cost rental housing, growing its cost rental housing stock to more than 600 homes. Tuath has an additional 2,000 homes currently on site, complementing the association’s social housing programme.
Cost rental: Secure rental homes
Cost rental housing is a new housing tenure in Ireland, established under the Affordable Housing Act 2021. It provides long-term, secure rental homes to households who are above the income threshold for social housing eligibility, but whose net income is under €66,000 (Dublin) or €59,000 (outside Dublin).
The rent is based on the long-term cost of building, managing and maintaining the homes on a not-for-profit basis. Rents are calculated over a 40-year period and are a minimum 25 per cent below market rents for comparable new properties.
Tuath delivered 371 cost rental homes in 2023, as we work towards a target of 3,000 homes by end of 2027. This new housing tenure offers a long-term, secure rental option that will contribute to the development of a sustainable housing market and facilitate the creation of mixed tenure communities throughout Ireland.
The positive impact of Cost Rental
The positive impact of Cost Rental homes was measured and reported recently in The Impact of Cost Rental Housing: Security, Affordability and Place, a research piece completed by Michael Byrne (University College Dublin), Cian O’Callaghan (Trinity College Dublin), Sarah Sheridan, and Robert Sweeney. It was published earlier in 2023 in association with Clúid Housing, Respond, and Tuath Housing.
As affordable housing remains a pressing issue in Ireland, the research aimed to establish the impact of cost rental housing on the wellbeing of residents, exploring this through the lenses of affordability, security, and place.
Its survey data showed that 80 per cent of residents feel very secure, and 73 per cent say they ‘never’ or ‘rarely’ worry about eviction. Qualitative data underlines this, with many residents describing their housing as a ‘forever home’ and one describing themselves as ‘having won the lottery’.
Tuath’s Chief Commercial and Development Officer, Martin Loughran, echoed the findings of the research: “Cost rental has provided a vital alternative to the private rental sector and offers long-term security to tenants at an affordable rent in high-quality energy efficient homes. These homes and communities are already proving to have a positive impact on the wellbeing of residents.”
Rolling out cost rental
Just some of this year’s cost rental projects include 49 homes at Mount Neil, a brand new development located in Waterford City, 61 homes in Farranshock Park in Westmeath, 50 in Folkstown Park in Dublin, 28 in Foxwood Barn, Citywest, a development which will comprise 167 cost rental homes in total on completion and 83 in Hollystown in Dublin, part of 250 cost rental homes in this development.
On completion of the Kilcarbery Grange scheme in Dublin, Tuath will manage 200 cost rental homes in this development of 1,000 homes, with rents 40 per cent below the average local area rent.
The first cost rental homes in Dublin City were recently launched by Dublin City Council and Tuath Housing at De Verdon Place. As one of the largest public housing developments in the country, it will cater for the needs of over 600 people. Featuring multiple community spaces, including rooftop gardens, an outdoor playground facility and crèche; families, couples and individuals have been moving into their new homes. The 77 A-rated cost rental homes at De Verdon have rents 31 per cent below the local area average.
“As we look to the future, Tuath remains dedicated to pioneering new approaches in the provision of housing.” Sean O’Connor, CEO, Tuath Housing
A sustainable approach
By collaborating with employees, residents and stakeholders, Tuath Housing is committed to sustainable business practices.
The establishment of a Sustainability Team in 2022 signals Tuath’s commitment to build upon strong foundations already established within the organisation. Tuath’s aim is to integrate sustainability across all aspects of its operations and to play a role in shaping the sustainable development of the AHB sector.
In 2023, despite having record breaking growth, Tuath recorded a 5 per cent reduction in its carbon footprint on a per property basis. 41 per cent of the stock added to Tuath’s management portfolio in the year was delivered using timber frame or modern methods of construction (MMC), both lower carbon solutions. It also completed energy upgrade works on an additional 185 homes under its retrofit programme and joined Circular Reno, an EU-funded project aiming to implement scalable bio-based deep energy retrofit packages of facade and roof systems using various bio-based materials.
The power of partnership
Tuath is a proven expert at working in partnership, collaborating with local authorities, developers, and financial institutions to leverage all available resources to develop locally tailored, high-quality housing solutions on the ground.
Partnerships play a crucial role in providing large scale, mixed tenure developments. These developments typically include a mix of cost rental, social, and private housing, creating balanced communities.
Tuath’s CEO, Sean O’Connor, commented: “As we look to the future, Tuath remains dedicated to pioneering new approaches in the provision of housing. Our focus on cost rental housing, large-scale mixed tenure developments, utilising modern construction methods and environmentally sustainable practices will continue to drive our efforts to create vibrant, inclusive communities across Ireland.
“We are committed to working closely with all our stakeholders and the communities we serve to ensure that everyone has access to choice and a safe, affordable home.”
To find out more:
W: www.tuathhousing.ie
