First tranche of affordable homes in Dublin’s Montpelier scheme launched
The first tranche of 74 homes in the Montpelier housing scheme has been launched.
With 66 of the units sold under the Government’s affordable housing programme, and the remaining eight contributing to Dublin City Council’s (DCC) social housing stock, Mr McAdam hailed it as a “proud day” for the city.
"These new homes show what’s possible when we work together with ambition, pace and a clear focus on quality, because housing is never abstract for the people waiting on a front door key,” he said.
This cohort of homes, in Block 2 on the former O’Devaney Gardens site, have already been allocated to residents, who will be moving in over the coming weeks.
The homes are made up of 44 one-bedroom apartments, 23 two-bed units and seven three-bedroom apartments, with prices for the affordable purchase units ranging between €248,000 and €473,000 depending on size and the purchaser’s income.
Pricing for the affordable purchase units is determined by the income of the purchaser, which affects the equity share of the property that the council owns.
On average, the price for the homes will be 25pc below market rates.
These homes are an element of phase one of the redevelopment, which will be complete by June next year and have a total of 379 social, affordable and cost-rental homes.
Lord Mayor Ray McAdam said he wanted to emphasise that in this scheme, crucial amenities are being delivered alongside, rather than after, the housing.
"As phase one completes at the end of June, Montpelier will include everyday facilities that will make a neighbourhood work. Community space, GP surgery, a pharmacy, a crèche, supermarket, local retail units,” he said.
“For a long time, this site has carried questions. Today, it carries answers. And Dublin answers, not with slogans, but with homes, with keys, with neighbours and with a community beginning again here in the heart of Dublin 7.”
Housing Minister James Browne said that the development was an example of the Housing Department and DCC working “hand-in-glove” with partners, and that he wanted to “see far more” of these types of developments.
"I want people to have the dignity of their own front door, and it is why I am being relentless in cutting red tape, making it easier to deliver high quality homes for people across all types,” he said.
The overall Montpelier development is a partnership between DCC, Tuath Housing and Bartra, for 1,046 homes just three kilometres west of O’Connell Street.