A new development comprising 52 social homes has officially opened in Dublin.

The properties at Canal Bridge in Bluebell were delivered by Approved Housing Body and service provider Respond, in partnership with Dublin City Council.

Housing Minister Darragh O'Brien TD visited the site to launch the new homes, before visiting another Respond site on the Long Mile Road consisting of 153 homes.

Canal Bridge Apartments includes 52 new lifetime homes for Respond tenants; a mix of one, two and three bedroom apartments. The homes have been funded by a combination of private finance from the Housing Finance Agency and a loan from the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage.

The Respond site on the Long Mile Road which is currently nearing completion will consist of 153 homes; a mix of one, two and three bedroom apartments and duplexes.

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Respond now have 3,653 tenants living in 1,342 homes in Dublin.

Lord Mayor of Dublin Caroline Conroy said: "Having somewhere to call home is so important for each and every one of us. Everyone knows the difficulties we have in our society at the minute with regard to housing. A home isn't just a pile of bricks. It's somewhere you can call your own, somewhere you can be yourself and somewhere you can feel safe. I wish all the tenants here every happiness in their new home and I would like to congratulate Dublin City Council and Respond for making today possible."

Niamh Randall, Spokesperson for Respond commented: "We are proud of the strong working relationship we have with Dublin City Council, enabling us to deliver these 52 lifetime homes for families and individuals who need them. The tenants who are moving in now will become part of the community here and we hope they will be very happy. This is only possible with the ongoing co-operation of our partners. We would like to thank Dublin City Council, the Department of Housing, Heritage and Local Government and the Housing Finance Agency. Our partners are essential to us achieving our goals of delivering additional social homes and providing services in the community.

"Over 80% of Respond's delivery is newly constructed homes. Over the last 40 plus years, we have amassed considerable experience in managing the construction process and our in-house design team has wide ranging expertise in all aspects of housing delivery. We remain committed to playing our part building social and cost rental homes throughout the country and providing services for families and individuals who need them."