Sustainable Compact Development, International Case Study Analysis is a report prepared for The Housing Agency by Indecon International Economic Consultants.

The purpose of this analysis is to explore how a number of successful compact residential projects were developed and made viable, and to examine the features of these case studies that makes them successful as areas of compact urban growth.

Together with The Housing Agency, four examples of compact urban growth were selected for the case study analysis, from Austria, Denmark, USA and Germany. They are all examples of brownfield development, i.e. developments on sites which were previously purposed for industrial use.

The development process for each site was examined, from the initial inception to the latest developments. This included research on the stakeholders involved in the development, how the development was financed, the obstacles faced in the development process and how these obstacles were overcome, the compact design features of the development, the externalities considered and whether any policy incentives were used to encourage development on the brownfield site. Each of these elements was considered in the context of the wider approach to compact development in the relevant city.

You can read the full report here - Sustainable Compact Development - International Case Study Analysis

The Housing Agency 2024 Annual Conference took place on 7^th November at The Gibson Hotel, Dublin 1. The theme of this year’s conference was AI & Innovation in Housing.

The conference, which was opened by Michael Carey, Chairman of The Housing Agency, brought together practitioners from across the technology and housing sectors and was attended by representatives from Government Departments, State Agencies, Local Government and Approved Housing Bodies as well as the Private Sector.

The conference examined the role of AI & innovation in housing design and delivery and featured the following expert speakers;

• Theo Lynn – Associate Dean for Research, DCU Business School
• Breffni Greene – Associate Architect, Henry J Lyons
• Will Synnott – Chief Customer Officer, Disperse
• Adele Keane – Chief Operating Officer & Creative Director, Imvizar
• Sabahat Khan – Chief Information Officer, Local Government Management Agency
• Declan Grimes – Senior Engineer, Louth County Council
• Jo Sedley-Burke – Consultant, Campbell Tickell
• Barry Lowry – Office of the Government Chief Information Officer

Presentations from the event along with the event agenda and brochure are available to access at the links provided below;

Revolutionising Energy Efficiency in Social Housing: Observations from the Frontlines (Theo Lynn)

From Project Site to Insight: Leveraging AI and 360° Imagery for Smarter Housing Construction Developments (Will Synnott)

Telling the Stories of Places with Augmented Reality (Adele Keane)

Ireland’s Local Government Digital & ICT Strategy 2030 (Sabahat Khan)

Ethics and Sector Readiness for AI Adoption in Housing (Jo Sedley-Burke)

AI - Opportunities for the Public Sector (Barry Lowry)

Access the agenda here - Agenda

Access the full brochure here - Brochure

Access video highlights here - Video 

Access the full conference report here - Report

If you would like to be notified of future events hosted by The Housing Agency you can sign up to our Training & Events Mailing List here.

Housing Conditions and Integrated Care for Older People: Tallaght University Hospital and partners, identifying common housing conditions affecting older people in South Dublin.

The report was prepared as an action from the Housing Conditions for Older People Group (HCFOP), a group chaired by The Housing Agency. Members of this group include:, TrinityHaus, Age Friendly Ireland, Building Research Establishment (BRE), Meath County Council (Barry Lynch), South Dublin County Council (Colin Ward), Age Action, NDA and Tallaght University Hospital.

The research report was funded by the Meath Foundation, based in Tallaght University Hospital (TUH).

Research aims: The research aimed to investigate the link between common housing conditions and hazards that affect older people’s health in the South Dublin area, and their impact on TUH healthcare delivery.

The research highlighted three main issues:

• The serious implications that poor housing conditions have for older people in Ireland, the consequences for health and wellbeing outcomes, and the impact this has on the integrated care for older persons.
• The urgent need for better housing data, national housing condition surveys, and centralised data platforms.
• The need to support and expand integrated approaches to housing and the care of older people in Ireland by bringing together key partners including: hospitals; the Integrated Care Programme for Older People; local authorities; and the Healthy Age Friendly Homes Programme.

To read the report click here - Housing Conditions and Integrated Care for Older People. 

To read the Executive Summary, click here - Housing Conditions and Integrated Care for Older People - Executive Summary. 

The report will be launched online on Friday 6th September from 12-1pm. The event will be chaired by The Housing Agency, with lead authors Tom Grey and Jennifer O’Donoghue of TrintyHaus Research Centre at Trinity College Dublin (TCD), and Professor Des O’Neill a specialist in geriatric and stroke medicine based at TUH and TCD presenting.

Register for the webinar here - Housing Conditions and Integrated Care of Older People Tickets, Fri, Sep 6, 2024 at 12:00 PM | Eventbrite

This page relates to the Croí Cónaithe (Cities) scheme. This scheme is a fund to support the building of apartments for sale to owner-occupiers.

The Croí Cónaithe (Cities) Scheme is a fund to support the building of apartments for sale to owner-occupiers. The Scheme aims to bridge the current “Viability Gap” between the cost of building apartments and the market sale price (where the cost of building is greater).  

A key national policy objective under Housing for All, the Government’s national housing plan to 2030, is to build more homes within our cities and towns, resulting in compact growth and vibrant, liveable cities. This will help to tackle climate change, reduce vacancy and dereliction and help to meet the strong demand for urban living. 

Funding for Croí Cónaithe (Cities) Scheme will only be made available for suitable apartment developments where there is a demonstrated viability gap. Unless bridged, this gap will lead to the apartments not being built or being built but not available for purchase by owner-occupiers. Open book accounting will be required for all developments to make sure that the funding support provided only targets the viability gap in question resulting in a reduction of cost for home-buyers and increased supply into the market.

The Scheme will be managed and administered by The Housing Agency on behalf of the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage. The Housing Agency will receive proposals for developments via e-tenders. It will assess eligibility and carry out detailed due diligence and an open book assessment on eligible proposals.

Croí Cónaithe developments currently under construction

The following developments are being delivered under the Croí Cónaithe (Cities) Scheme.  The below developments outline in more detail some of the upcoming projects that will comprise of 1, 2, and 3 bedroom apartments. It is envisioned that the following developments will be completed by 2027.

Park Developments – Clay Farm, Meadow View, Dublin 18

Project Description

Meadow View, Clay Farm is located in Dublin 18 and comprises of 157 units with a mix of 1, 2, and 3 bedroom apartments. The proposed development is located just off exit 15 of the M50 and close to amenities such as restaurants, cafes, creches and schools.  The location of Meadow View, Clay Farm will also provide proximity to grocery and retail outlets, along with multiple streams of public transport, with the Leopardstown Valley and Gallops Luas Stops right next to the scheme. Phase 1 of this development will launch toward the end of 2025.

Park Developments - Woodward Court, Glencairn Gate, Murphystown Way, Dublin 18

Project description

Woodward Court, Glencairn Gate, Murphystown Way is located in Dublin 18. The development is located just off exit 14 on the M50, in proximity to Leopardstown and Sandyford Business Parks with amenities such as restaurants, cafes, and schools, grocery and retail outlets close by.  The location of Woodward Court has multiple streams of public transport, including the Glencairn Luas stop which is just 1 minute’s walking distance from the site. This development will launch mid-2025 and will comprise of 53 apartments in total, with a mix of 1, 2, and 3 bed apartments.

Glenveagh Homes – Blackrock Villas, Blackrock, Co. Cork

Project Description

Blackrock Villas is located in Cork.  The development is ideally located close to the south bank of the River Lee and is set in one of Cork City’s most popular and picturesque locations. The development will comprise 274 apartments with a mix of studios, along with 1, 2, and 3 bedroom apartments.

Blackrock Villas is located just 3km from Cork City centre and is within close proximity of multiple amenities, including shopping districts, leisure centres and childcare facilities, as well as primary and secondary schools.

The scheme has easy access to the N40 South Ring Road network providing access to western routes as well as connection to Dublin (M8) and Waterford (N25). The area is also well served by local transport links including the 202, 215 and 219 bus routes, all of which have numerous stops located within 500 metres of the development. 

It is expected that the first homes in Blackrock Villas will be completed by late 2025.

Cairn Homes - Mercer Vale, Cherrywood, Dublin 18.

Project Description

Mercer Vale, Cherrywood is located in Dublin 18.  Cherrywood is a highly regarded new urban neighbourhood in the heart of South Dublin. Cherrywood provides easy access to the M50 and N11 interchange and is less than a 10-minute walk to the Laughanstown Luas stop.  The development will comprise 58 apartments with a mix of 1, 2 and 3-bedroom apartments within an attractive development with plenty of green space, both public and private.  Cherrywood is also in close proximity to amenities such as schools, shops, leisure facilities and parks.  Mercer Vale, Cherrywood is expected to be completed in Q2/3 2026.

Castletreasure, Douglas, Co. Cork.

Project description

Castletreasure, Douglas, Co. Cork is located just off the Carrigaline Road and 3.5km southeast of Cork City. The development will comprise 98 apartments with a mix of 1 and 2-bedroom apartments.  Douglas is well-serviced by public transport with multiple bus routes within close proximity to the development, including the 206, 207, 216, and 220. The development is also within easy reach of several major roads, including the N28, N40, and the M8 motorway. It is less than 15 minutes distance from Cork International Airport and Cork Train Station. There are also two cycling routes running alongside the development - the Ballybrack Valley Greenway and the Douglas to Crosshaven cycle route.

Expressions of Interest

The Housing Agency is pleased to welcome proposers to the Third Expression of Interest for Croí Cónaithe (Cities). Proposers are invited to submit proposals via eTenders. The deadline for receipt of proposals is no later than 5pm on 26th September 2024. It is the sole responsibility of the proposer to ensure their submission is received by the stated deadline.

The Croí Cónaithe (Cities) Scheme Expression of Interest (EOI) Application Form can be accessed through the eTenders platform: http://eTenders.gov.ie/. Please note that the eTenders web platform is being used for its functionality only and it is acknowledged that this EOI process is not a public tender. Please feel free to contact our dedicated Croí Cónaithe (Cities) Scheme team at the Housing Agency on +353 (0) 1 656 4100.

Useful links

• Frequently Asked Questions - Croí Cónaithe (Cities) 
• eTenders page
• Expression of Interest Document
• Expression of Interest Application Form 
• Expression of Interest Excel Document
• Croí Cónaithe (Cities) Contracts

Multi-unit developments (MUDs) are estates where an owners’ management company, or OMC for short, is responsible for maintaining shared facilities such as gardens, amenity spaces, halls, corridors, and parking. These managed estates are often apartment buildings or duplexes. They can also be townhouses or stand-alone houses that share common facilities. The quality and the sustainability of the built environment enjoyed by these communities rely on well-run OMCs.

With the increasing number of apartments across the country, The Housing Agency is holding evening information meetings for stakeholders, including residents, owners, and directors of OMCs.

The meetings will cover:

• Challenges faced by OMCs & managed estates
• Roles and responsibilities
• Resources available
   

Events will be held at:

Crowne Plaza Airport Hotel, Northwood, Santry, Dublin 9  - Wednesday, 11 September

Clanree Hotel, Letterkenny, Co. Donegal - Wednesday, 18 September 

Maldron Hotel, Portlaoise, Co. Laois - Wednesday, 25 September

The Ellison Hotel, Castlebar, Co. Mayo - Wednesday, 2 October 

Killarney Plaza Hotel and Spa, Killarney, Co. Kerry - Wednesday, 9 October 

Glenview Hotel and Leisure Club, Delgany, Co. Wicklow - Wednesday, 16th October 

The Tower Hotel and Leisure Centre, Waterford City - Wednesday 23, October 

How to attend – registration required

Attendance places, while free of charge, are limited. 

Registration is required.

Please register by clicking on your preferred location above.

This will lead you to the Eventbrite ticketing website, where you can book your free place.

You can register also by email, to MUD@housingagency.ie

Evening Programme

6:45pm     Registration (tea/coffee provided)
7pm          Presentation from The Housing Agency
7:45pm     Q&A
8:30pm     Closes

Information and resources for OMCs and MUDs are available on the Agency’s website.

Information in relation to the remediation of defects in apartments and duplexes is available here.

Previous outreach events took place in:

• Cork International Hotel, Airport Business Park | 14 November 2023
• Clayton Hotel, Galway | 7 November 2023
• South Court Hotel, Limerick | 24 October 2023
• Carlton Hotel, Blanchardstown | 12 October 2023
• Talbot Hotel, Stillorgan | 10 October 2023
• Hodson Bay Hotel, Athlone | 28 November 2022
• Glenroyal Hotel & Leisure Club, Maynooth | 22 November 2022
• Boyne Valley Hotel & Country Club, Drogheda | 15 November 2022
• Chartered Accountants House, Dublin 2 | 8 November 2022
• Clayton Hotel, Sligo | 25 October 2022
• Talbot Hotel, Stillorgan | 4 March 2020
• Castletroy Park Hotel, Limerick | 26 February 2020
• Clayton Hotel Silver Springs, Cork | 19 February 2020
• Lord Bagenal, Leighlinbridge | 12 February 2020
• Clayton Hotel Dublin Airport | 5 February 2020
• Red Cow Moran Hotel, Dublin | 29 January 2020
• Crowne Plaza Hotel, Blanchardstown | 15 January 2020
• Clayton Hotel, Galway | 4 December 2019
• Nuremore Hotel, Carrickmacross | 27 November 2019

April  

• On 11th April, €100m in funding was announced for almost 550 new affordable cost rental homes. The funding announced will provide for developments in Laois, Kildare, Kilkenny, Cork City and Dublin City. 

• The commencement data for Q1 2024 was released and shows that 11,956 homes were commenced in the first three months of 2024, up 63% on the same period in 2023. In the last twelve months (April 2023 to March 2024), 37,408 units were commenced, up 37% on the prior twelve months. 

• The Homeless Report for March 2024 was published and found that 13,866 people were accessing emergency accommodation during the week 25-31 March 2024.  

• The Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage published the Housing for All Q1 2024 Update report. Key updates include the extension of waiver on development levy, 12,000 homes started construction in Q1 2024, 4,376 applications for the Vacant Property Refurbishment Grant, and additional €40m in state funding committed to the First Home Scheme.  

May 

• On 22nd May, the Housing Commission published its report, including its overall review of Ireland’s housing system, together with a number of reports in relation to the wording of a referendum on housing.  

• Under the Town Centre First Heritage Revival Scheme (THRIVE), twenty-six town centres were awarded funding of up to €200,000 each. This funding was awarded under Ireland’s two European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) Regional Programmes.  

• The Homeless Report for April 2024 was published and found that 14,009 people were accessing emergency accommodation during the week 22nd – 28th April 2024.  

June  

• The Homeless Report for March 2024 was published and found that 13,866 people were accessing emergency accommodation during the week 25-31 March 2024.  

• On 5th June, the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage, Darragh O’Brien TD today announced that he received Government approval for a Local Authority Purchase and Renovation Loan (LAPR). The loan, which is an expansion of the Local Authority Home Loan, will support both the purchase and renovation of homes which are eligible under the existing Vacant Property Refurbishment Grant 

• Under the third call for the Urban Regeneration and Development Fund (URDF), more than 1,200 vacant and derelict properties have been identified and approved under the scheme. The residential yield from these properties is 5,406 homes.  

• €93 million has been allocated to local authorities for Housing Adaptation Grants for Older People and Disabled People.  

• The Build 2024 Construction Sector Performance and Capacity Report was published, showing there were over 41,000 planning permissions for housing units in 2023 and 17,601 homes were upgraded to a BER rating of B2 or above in 2023, an increase of 108% relative to 2022. 

Relevant publications  

• The Housing Agency – Policy Insight Series Issue 4 – Office-to-Residential Conversions: Case studies from Tuath Housing – 4th April 2024 

• DHLGH - Domestic Violence Refuge Accommodation - Project Brief Design Guidelines 2024- 1st May 2024 

• ESRI – Household Size in Ireland: Stylised facts and cross country trends – 1st May 2024   

• ESRI - How do EMN Member States ensure systems for housing International Protection Applicants are ‘flexible’? – 3rd May 2024  

• Simon Communities - Under the Radar: Unveiling Hidden Homelessness Across the Island of Ireland - Simon Communities in Ireland – 16th May 2024 

The Research Summer Series is back for 2024! On June 18th, the first of The Housing Agency’s Research Summer Series of webinars will discuss Housing Choices for a Sustainable Future. This sessions speakers are Martin Colreavy, Senior Adviser, Strategic Delivery and Urban Advisory, at the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage, and Philip Comerford, Independent Architect, Housing and Urban Infill, at Philip Comerford Architects, Dublin.

The summer series will bring together housing practitioners, academics and public servants to discuss housing research. The webinar will be of particular interest to architects, quantity surveyors, engineers, housing practitioners and policymakers.

You can register for the webinar here – Housing Choices for a Sustainable Future Tickets, Tue, Jun 18, 2024 at 12:00 PM | Eventbrite

Martin Colreavy will discuss innovation and efficiencies in the design of affordable housing, featuring case studies from Ireland and the EU. The presentation will explore key topics within the current landscape of affordable housing and discuss how affordable housing can be effectively delivered through innovation in construction and design.

Philip Comerford will discuss the whole life-cycle carbon emissions of different dwelling types found in Ireland. He will provide an examination of the climate impacts of housing and explore how policy goals and housing choices can create low energy and climate resilient sustainable communities.

The Housing Agency presents a lunchtime webinar intended to provide an overview of the role of the Corporate Enforcement Authority (CEA) vis-à-vis company law, as it applies to owners’ management companies (OMCs) of multi-unit developments such as apartments.  

The Corporate Enforcement Authority is Ireland’s company law enforcement agency. Its mission is to promote and serve the public interest by ensuring high levels of compliance with company law through effective advocacy and proportionate, robust, and dissuasive enforcement.

At the webinar Fallon Judge, Director of Civil Enforcement with the CEA, will discuss:

• Directors’ duties and responsibilities,
• CEA’s role in encouraging compliance with company law,
• Resources available to the CEA,
• CEA’s graduated approach towards enforcement, and
• CEA’s complaints processes. 

The webinar will be of interest to people involved with OMCs, including directors and members of OMCs, licensed property management agents, residents, Approved Housing Bodies, Local Authorities, and others involved with OMCs.  

The hour-long webinar will take place at 12.30pm on Tuesday 16 April 2024. 

Registration for this free event is required via this Zoom link.

Upon registration a confirmation email will issue with information about how to join the webinar. 

Questions for the webinar Q&A may be emailed in advance before Friday 12 April 2024 to MUD@housingagency.ie. 

This is a live event.  Registrants are kindly advised that while a copy of the slides will be circulated after the event, the webinar will not be recorded. 

Places are limited to 1,000 attendees on a first-come first-served basis. 

By registering for this webinar you consent for the purposes of event management to the processing by The Housing Agency of your personal data (name and email address).

Disclaimer: 

Information provided during the webinar is general in nature.  It should not be considered to amount to legal advice, and no reliance should be placed on it.  The Housing Agency and the Corporate Enforcement Authority cannot be held responsible for actions or failure to act on foot of the information provided.  Legal or other professional advice should be sought on individual circumstances.

The Housing Agency is delighted to announce the winner of the 2023 Housing Agency Essay Prize competition. This prize is awarded to the most original student essay submitted for assessment as part of the Institute of Public Administration’s Professional Diploma in Housing Studies. This year’s winner is:

Killian O'Sullivan for the essay entitled “Childcare Provision in New Housing” which has been published on our website here.

In addition, there were two runner-up prizes awarded. These were:

Malachy Egan for the essay entitled “The Land Development Agency – A Structural Analysis within Irish Housing Policy”

and

Stephen Owens for the essay entitled “Do publicly available statistics and associated commentary improve our understanding of the Irish housing market.”

The Housing Agency would like to congratulate the winner and the runners-up on the quality of their essays, the originality of their research, and their engagement with public policy.

The Housing Agency is committed to supporting the education, training, and development of Ireland’s housing practitioners.

For more information on the education and training options available for housing practitioners, please see www.housingtraining.ie.

Information about the Institute of Public Administration’s Professional Diploma in Housing Studies, as well as other courses relevant to housing practitioners, can be found here and here.