Meeting Nenagh’s housing demand

Housing group acquire 16 homes

Focus Housing Association, the Approved Housing Body (AHB) arm of Focus Ireland, is delighted to acquire 16 homes in Nenagh, which will deliver much needed secure housing to families in the area, alleviating pressure on Tipperary County Council’s social housing waiting list.

The 16 homes, which are a mix of two and three-bedroom family homes, were acquired by Focusing Housing Association, following extensive refurbishment and with the support of Tipperary County Council, the Department of Housing, Planning, Local Government & Heritage and Housing Finance Agency. The houses are situated by the Abbey Court Hotel.

Jan Mingle, Director of Property at Focus Ireland, said: “At Focus Ireland, we’re acutely aware that the fight against homelessness doesn’t stop at the Dublin border. That is why we have a presence and work with local stakeholders right across the country.

“In recent years, huge strides have been made in Tipperary where the social housing waiting list has fallen from 1,858 in 2016 to 1,121 by the end of 2021. While this progress is welcome, with homelessness rising nationally, we must move with greater urgency to deliver good quality, public housing for those most in need.”

Sinead Carr, Director of Services with Tipperary County Council, added: “Tipperary County Council are delighted to welcome the completion of 16 units in Nenagh by Focus Ireland, which will assist with meeting the housing demand in the town. Focus were supported by Tipperary County Council in advancing these units through the funding application and delivery process.

“These units were delivered in 2022 and form part of the overall delivery under Housing For All. Tipperary County Council has ambitious Housing targets for the period 2022-2026 and through working with approved housing bodies, like Focus Housing Association, successful delivery can be achieved.”

Gavin Donaldson, Head of Development in the region for Focus Ireland, commented: “Through bringing projects such as these in Nenagh on stream, Focus Ireland provides secure housing to individuals and families, who in most circumstances, have been waiting for a very long time on local authority waiting lists. We know the difficulties and challenges that living without the most basic security of home can bring. At Focus, we are ramping up our delivery of housing through new builds and acquisition projects such as these, with the aim of providing over 1,100 additional homes by 2025.”