County Cork To Get Funding For 13 Housing Units – O’Keeffe

County Cork is to receive funding for 13 housing units according to Cork East TD, Ned O’Keeffe.  The funding is being made available to meet the needs of persons with specific types of housing needs. These include older people, people exiting temporary homeless accommodation and persons with a physical, intellectual or mental health disability.  The funding is ultimately being provided to approved voluntary and co-operative housing bodies with a view to delivering good quality, secure long term accommodation.

In County Cork, the Cluid Housing Association will receive funding for 6 housing units, Focus Housing Association will receive funding for 4 housing units and 3 housing units will be provided by Upton Cork Housing Association. Speaking about the announcement, Deputy O’Keeffe said, “Even in these times it is vitally important that we continue to try to provide accommodation for those people who have special housing needs.  These 13 units in County Cork will help with the efforts made by the local housing associations in these areas to house people who otherwise may not be able to secure shelter.”

“The voluntary and co-operative housing sectors, with over 23,000 units of accommodation in use throughout the country play a very important role in Irish society.  Everyone involved in these organisations throughout Cork and the rest of Ireland, are making a significant contribution to our communities.  They are providing for those who have special housing needs on a practical, value for money basis and they deserve immense credit for the work they are doing.”

“These housing units will help our older people who require sheltered housing.  They will help people with disabilities who are capable of independent living where care supports are available.  They will also help those people who are currently living in homeless accommodation but who wish to progress to mainstream housing.”

“The programme this year is also looking to take full advantage of the good value available in the housing market at present and on a national level, Minister Finneran has identified the need to concentrate on proposals that involved properties that were already built or which were nearing completion.  This means that most of the units will be available right away.”

“This funding will benefit the people of Cork, particularly the communities involved.  It will help to provide for some of the more marginalised members of our communities.  It will also have knock on benefits for the local economy.”

“I’m delighted this funding has been provided and I look forward to seeing these units ready for use in the near future,” Deputy O’Keeffe concluded.

In total €60 million is being made available for the programme on a national basis, with a view to providing 431 housing units around the country.