Construction work is to begin shortly on 25 new homes as Drogheda Borough Council becomes the first local authority in the country to use the Department of the Environment, Community & Local Government's 'Build to Lease' programme to provide social housing.

A sod-turning ceremony was held on Monday, 24th June, at the site of the scheme in Moneymore, Drogheda. The Council has combined with the Department, North & East Housing Association and lenders Ulster Bank to deliver the housing units which will help to reduce the town's waiting list for social housing.

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The housing association has appointed Mullingar-based Andrews Construction for the project which has had a gestation period of over three years.

Cllr Paul Bell, Mayor of Drogheda, said: "While there can be a perception that there’s no shortage of empty housing units and there is low occupancy in some areas, there is still a very real need to deliver appropriate social housing in our communities.

"As the local authority and site owners, Drogheda Borough Council has been very creative in our approach to this and this project can become a model for providing social housing when local authorities do not have the resources of previous years.

"This development – which we look forward to seeing completed next year – will bring 25 residential units on stream. Of these, five will be allocated to vulnerable adults and older people with one of these adapted for use by a person with a disability. Another three units will be sold under the new Incremental Purchase Scheme and the remaining 17 will be allocated on the basis of greatest need to people on the Council’s housing list."

(CD)