State’s first local authority led cost rental scheme for Belgard Square
THE sod to commence a new development of 133 cost rental apartments at Belgard Square North in Tallaght town centre took place on Wednesday morning by Mayor Emma Murphy, along with Darragh O’Brien, Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage.
This South Dublin County Council project represents the first standalone cost rental development by a local authority in Ireland.
The development consists of three studio apartments, sixty-four one-bedroom apartments, sixty-three two-bedroom apartments and three three-bedroom apartments to be delivered in three blocks, ranging from three to eight storeys together with community space and high-quality communal and public open space.
The central location is ideal for the rental market with proximity to major employment, retail and education centres as well as excellent transport links and amenities, including the soon to be completed Work IQ Innovation Centre and the Innovation Square public plaza, both of which are also current council projects.
Building contractors JJ Rhatigan have been appointed by the council for the construction works with the development expected to be completed and occupied in 2025.
The project is being funded by South Dublin County Council with support through the Affordable Housing Fund from the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage under Housing for All, the national housing plan.
Cost rental housing provides affordable rented accommodation to people on middle incomes who are above the threshold for social housing but have difficulty affording private rented accommodation.
The rent payable by tenants in this development will be directly linked to the cost of building, managing and maintaining the homes and will be discounted to at least 25% below local market rents through the Affordable Housing Fund subsidy.
Danny McLoughlin, Chief Executive, South Dublin County Council said: “Quality, affordable rental accommodation is now and will continue to be a critical element of Government led housing delivery policy.
“This is the first of many such developments planned by South Dublin County Council. It is a quality development, in what we believe will be a highly sought after location within this new Innovation District. The Elected Councillors who have supported this innovative project are to be commended for taking this first important step in what is a new broader housing delivery role for local government.”
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