Donegal County Council have completed the turnkey acquisition of 38 properties that are currently under construction at Oak Meadows, Drumbar, Donegal Town.
The acquisition of these houses is a major investment of in excess of €7.6m in the social housing stock in the county and in particular, Donegal Town.
The supply of these new social housing units will be an important part of the Council’s plan to meet the needs of those on the housing list.
The development is being completed in three phases, with ten units in Phase 1 already completed and now occupied by the new tenants who received the keys of their new homes in recent weeks.
It is expected that Phase 2 and Phase 3 of this development will be completed and allocated later this year.
The Cathaoirleach of the Donegal Municipal District, Cllr Barry Sweeny, has welcomed the provision of these houses and commented that the delivery of social housing in Donegal Town is good news for those on the housing list and their families.
He said “I certainly welcome the announcement of these new homes – housing is a basic requirement for individuals and their families and during the current housing crisis, it is good to see these plans coming to fruition in Donegal Town”, he said.
“The Members of Donegal Municipal District visited the new development in recent days and have all welcomed the allocation of the first phase of this development. The new tenants who have taken possession of their keys, expressed their joy and delight with their new homes. ”
One tenant, Julie, commented, “I am very happy and excited and I have not slept since we received our offer”.
In welcoming the development, the Area Manager for Housing and Corporate in the Donegal Municipal District, Mr Pauric Sheerin conveyed his gratitude to the Members of the Municipal District, the Dept of Housing, Local Government and Heritage, staff from the Council’s Housing offices (in Lifford and in Donegal Town) and the developer for their support and hard work in getting this project progressed and providing this much needed housing in Donegal Town.
Mr Sheerin also commented on other social housing projects that are currently underway in the locality such as Phase 3 of Railway Park and a number of private developments which will help to meet the demand for private housing in the area.
In relation to other towns and villages in the Municipal District, Mr Sheerin advised that the Council is working on the provision of a number of social housing schemes on Council lands and also pursuing the purchase of suitable lands, throughout the Municipal District, to meet the housing requirements, as part of the Council’s Housing Delivery Action plan.
