Managing unsold affordable property for local authorities
Properties originally built for sale as affordable homes but which there is no longer a market for due to the downturn are now being made available for rent to those on local housing lists. The properties are let at an affordable rent and are managed by Clúid on behalf of the local authority owner. The scheme gives local authorities a respite from expensive interest payments on loans which were used to construct the properties. The available properties provide housing for the many households currently awaiting housing on local authority housing lists. At the end of five years, the letting is reviewed with a view to offering the property for sale ideally to the tenants who have been renting them.
Leasing Properties (Private Sector Leasing)
There is currently no market for substantial numbers of properties originally constructed for sale. Clúid is offering long term leases, from 10 to 20 years, to property owners who make these properties available to housing associations to house households in need. The owner receives a regular monthly payment for the duration of the lease. The amount received by the developer as a lease payment relates to:
- the market rent for the area
- the management service provided
Clúid can provide the entire range of property management services. Clúid negotiates the lease payment and services to be provided with the owner. At the end of the lease period the property is returned to the owner in its original condition excepting normal wear and tear. The rent paid by the tenant is separate from the lease payment and is calculated according to the tenants’ income, it is therefore always affordable.
Design & Build
Clúid has a wealth of experience in working with the DoEHLG and local authorities in relation to funding submissions under the Capital Funding Schemes. Clúid continues to share this expertise with a large number of developers who are presently on site building our schemes. By coming on board at the very earliest opportunity, Clúid can help developers to design and develop a scheme which will meet the technical requirements of the DoEHLG and Local Authority in relation to social housing. This is achieved by working closely with Developers and their Design Team at each stage of the development.
Part V
Clúid Housing Association has worked in co-operation with some of Ireland’s leading property developers helping them to fulfil their Part V obligations. Over 40% of the schemes we now develop are provided by way of Part V agreements between developers and the Local Authorities, including schemes in Adamstown, Laburnum Square, Ticknock Hill, Kilcross Square and Belarmine Hall. Clúid has assisted property developers in meeting their social and affordable obligations by ensuring compliance with the Department of the Environment technical requirements and providing expert advice on social and affordable housing issues.
Award Winning Schemes
Clúid Housing Association is proud to have a number of award winning developments within our portfolio. Such recognition is testament to the professional service provided by our staff and the members of the design teams that we assemble. Many schemes have been noted for the quality of scheme design and housing management standards including developments at Clarion Quay which won the RIAI Silver Medal Award for Housing in 2007, Killarney Court which won the ICSH Community Housing Award in 2003 and Knock Riada which was recognised by the Dublin City Development Board in 2003.
Older People’s Housing
Clúid has built a number of sheltered housing schemes for older people around the country and has several more at planning stage. We have sheltered housing schemes in Ballymun, Birr, Clifden, Killarney and Tuam. Clúid certainly has a great deal of expertise in this area and are happy to work with other groups to develop similar sheltered housing schemes in their areas.
Working with smaller Housing Associations
Clúid has frequently worked with a number of smaller housing associations. We have been able to apply our considerable development experience on behalf of other organisations by acting as a development agent and taking a lead on the various development procedures necessary to build out a scheme. Recently, Clúid have pioneered a ‘consortium approach’ where we have acted as lead developer on behalf of a group of associations which has enabled a wide range of housing needs to be met within a single development. The consortium approach with other housing associations was used in Russel Square, Tallaght and Belarmine Hall in Stepaside.
Special Needs Accommodation
Clúid have worked in association with a number of other groups to design and build special needs accommodation in a number of areas around the country. As a result of this we have special needs accommodation in Wexford, Cork, Sligo, Donegal, Dublin and Galway.
Refurbishment
On a number of our developments Clúid have been able to retain some of the exiting dwellings on the site and refurbish them by bringing them up to the required standards for occupation. Refurbishment is therefore very much seen as a realistic alternative to new build and schemes and wherever possible, we would seek to retain and work with as much of the exiting environment as possible. Developments such as Killarney Court in Dublin and St. Joseph’s Court in Clifden provide impressive examples of successful refurbishment schemes.
Regeneration
Clúid are proud to have worked with a number of local authorities in the regeneration of specific areas within their administrative areas. To date, this has included schemes in Racecourse View (Sligo), St. Patrick’s Estate (Ballina) and St. Michael’s Estate (Longford). The regeneration of this particular part of the estate was so successful that were we are currently progressing a second phase. The aim of such projects is to not only regenerate an estate but the area around it, including wherever possible facilitating the social regeneration which is often necessary to make the overall project a success.
Affordable Housing
Clúid have developed a number of affordable schemes for sale and see such developments as an integral part of sustainable development going forward. Our experience of affordable housing has largely been as a development agent on behalf of the local authority, although a number of potential schemes have recently been identified which may enable us to shortly develop our own affordable housing schemes.
Working in Partnership with Housing Authorities
Since the beginning, Clúid Housing Association has worked in co-operation with housing authorities to assist in the implementation of their housing strategies. Clúid has a proven track record of providing excellent high quality housing to local authority housing applicants through both traditionally procured and design and build projects.
Community Groups/Housing Associations
Over the past decade Clúid Housing Association has built up a reputation with local community groups and housing associations throughout Ireland and has assisted both in the development and management of housing schemes within their local areas.
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