The sod was turned last week on new era in social housing in north Galway – designed specifically with older residents in mind.

Cathaoirleach of Galway County Council, Cllr. Liam Carroll, and Minister of State Anne Rabbitte officially turned launched the new housing development being delivered by Tuath Housing in partnership with Galway County Council and Mountbellew Voluntary Homes.

This new age friendly development will provide five two-bedroom bungalows, designed specifically for older persons, and is being funded via the Capital Assistance Scheme through the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage.

These new homes represent Tuath’s ongoing commitment to partnering with local authorities, such as Galway County Council, to deliver high quality and affordable homes to people of varying housing needs.

Tuath now manages almost 13,000 properties nationwide, catering for the needs of over 33,000 residents across the country.

Last year was a record-breaking one for the Association with the provision of 2,473 homes, housing some 7,000 new residents nationwide.

This included 115 cost rental homes, and Tuath are now the leading provider of this affordable rental model with 400 cost rental homes delivered to date, with an additional 2,000 more in the pipeline.

Cathaoirleach of Galway County Council, Cllr. Liam Carroll said that providing a range of housing options that respond to the needs across the community, including age friendly homes, was a priority for the local authority.

“This housing development, a long-standing ambition of Mountbellew Voluntary Homes, has been made possible by a strong and effective partnership between the local community, Tuath, the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage and Galway County Council,” he said.

“Galway County Council is delighted to support the project and looks forward to it progressing to completion over the coming months,” he added.

Minister of State Anne Rabbitte said that this marked ‘a significant milestone as we break ground on this housing development in Mountbellew’.

“This age-friendly scheme reflects the government’s ongoing commitment to support the development of safe, comfortable and bespoke housing for older persons and I’m sure these five houses will provide their residents with many years of happy memories,” she said.

“I know the quality and commitment it brings having Tuath on board, working in partnership with Galway County Council and Mountbellew Voluntary Homes, to deliver these homes and I wish everyone all the best over the coming months.”

Michael Owens, Director of Services for Housing, Galway County Council highlighted the partnership approach involved in progressing the new age-friendly development is an example for other communities.

“A strong community effort led for many years by Mountbellew Voluntary Homes Association will transform a vacant and derelict site providing new homes and a new beginning for a site with historical significance for the town of Mountbellew,” he said.

“Mountbellew Voluntary Homes Association are to be commended for their commitment to this project and their perseverance in overcoming various challenges to progress this much needed and very welcome development,” he added.

The Chairman of Mountbellew Voluntary Homes Association, Mattie Kilroy, welcomed the development of the Malthouse Housing site and thanked Galway County Council and Tuath for bringing it to this stage.

“We look forward to the completion of the project, which has a capacity for twelve houses, as it will help the housing of the elderly and our friends in rented accommodation from the Mental Health service in the Town of Mountbellew,” he said.

Pictured: Cathaoirleach of the County of Galway, Cllr Liam Carroll, and Minister of State Anne Rabbitte, joined by invited guests at the official sod turning ceremony at the new age-friendly development in Mountbellew.