Housing bonanza in Louth with 565 social homes delivered by year end

By Olivia Ryan, The Drogheda Independent

Hundreds of new social houses are on the way in Louth before Christmas, with 565 units set to delivered by the end of 2025, according to new figures from Louth County Council.

Louth County Council’s Social Housing Delivery programme has seen 100 social units made available so far this year, with a further 465 expected by the end of December.

The largest cohort of social houses are expected in Dundalk, at Gullion Park, Finnabair, with 142 units coming on stream and Connolly’s Field (70 units). Both are being delivered through an Approved Housing Body (AHB).

In Drogheda, the largest single development will feature 54 units, a range of houses and apartments, at Boice Court, Mell which will become available over the next few months.

The figures were presented to councillors at the October meeting of Dundalk Municipal District, and will be delivered through Louth County Council Direct Build Projects, Part V and Turnkey Agreements with Private Developers, and collaboration with Approved Housing Bodies (AHBs).

Senior Engineer, Declan Grimes told councillors that the local authority’s social housing provision will exceed the department’s ‘Housing for All’ (HFA) Target of 172 units by 393 units.

“As previously advised Louth County Council’s overall DHLGH HFA 2022 – 2026 target of 1,323 units will be achieved by the end of November 2025,” said Mr. Grimes.

Overall, Capital Social Housing Delivery includes; Boice Court, Mell, Drogheda (54 units), Mullach Close, Clogherhead (4 units) Knockshee, Blackrock, Dundalk (12 units), Gort Mell, Drogheda (18 units) Seven Winds, Drogheda (12 units), Ballymakenny Park, Drogheda (11 units) Dowdalls Court, Dundalk (7 units) Bruach NaAbhann, Dundalk (7 units) and Beaulieu Village, Drogheda (11 units).

Social houses will also be delivered through Approved Housing Bodies at the following locations: Racecourse Meadows with Circle, Dundalk (26 units) Connolly’s Field, Dundalk, (70 units) Crushrod Avenue, Drogheda (33 units) Bayview Gardens, Drogheda (58 units) and Gullion Park, Finnabair, Dundalk (142 units).

Councillors learned that ‘Affordable Housing’ units are also being pursued, including the sale of eight houses in Seven Winds, Drogheda which have been recently completed, and 11 three- bedroom houses in Quarry Court, Ardee, which are currently advertised on the affordable housing portal.

In 2025, Louth County Council has completed an eight unit affordable scheme in Ballymakenny Park, Drogheda, and over the coming months the local authority will, in collaboration with developers, intend to run the following Affordable housing schemes: St. Fursey’s, Dublin Road, Dundalk (8 units), Bay View, Red Barns Road, Dundalk (6 units), Ushers Mill, Drogheda (10 units), Dowdall’s Court, Dundalk, and Bruach Na hAbhann, Dundalk, both to be confirmed.