Housing Minister officially opens new housing estate in Waterford town

THE Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage, Darragh O’Brien has officially opened a new social housing development in Tramore, County Waterford.

The minister met some of the residents of the development, Slí na Coille, at the scheme’s official opening on Friday alongside Mayor of Waterford City and County John O’Leary.

The scheme is a mix of houses, apartments and duplexes and provides secure, high-quality homes for 27 families. The residents came from Waterford City and County Council’s housing list and began moving into their new homes in August 2022.

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Clúid Housing, which manages the development, is an independent, not-for-profit charity, and is the largest approved housing body (AHB) in Ireland. Established in 1994, it works in partnership with local authorities to provide housing to those on social housing waiting lists. The Slí na Coille development brings the total number of homes in Waterford owned or managed by Clúid to 231.

Speaking at the official opening, Minister O’Brien said: “These beautiful homes here in Slí na Coille represent so much more than a safe, secure place to live. They are a foundation from which the new residents here can build happy healthy lives. I commend Waterford County Council and Clúid Housing for their hard work in producing this wonderful community.”

Mary Ryan, resident of Slí na Coille, said: “I love the house. The space is excellent, the location is very convenient and Clúid have been so helpful. The kids just love the house – they have so much more space to play.”

The scheme was delivered by Waterford-based DFL Developments, and received funding from the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage, the Housing Finance Agency, the Housing Agency and Waterford County Council.