Housing body Respond has 184 new social housing units under construction in Galway, adding to to the almost 300 already operating here.
Last year, the Approved Housing Body delivered a total of 77 social and affordable housing units in the county.
Respond now owns and manages 287 homes across Galway, supporting people in social housing developments, family homeless services, early childhood care and education, and supports for elderly people and refugees.
The announcement was made as Respond’s Annual Report 2021 was launched this week by Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage Darragh O’Brien TD.
Respond Spokesperson Niamh Randall said “Our Annual Report is a snapshot of the great work carried out by our teams on the ground supporting those who need it most in our communities.”
“Central to this support is providing families with access to stable, long-term homes where they can put down roots as part of a local community.”
“We are committed to continuing to help alleviate the massive need nationwide for social housing and supporting the Government’s Housing for All strategy.”
Respond currently has a total of 1,422 new social and affordable homes under construction in Ireland, of which 778 were commenced last year.
They were responsible for 16.4% of new social and affordable housing built by AHBs last year, but have warned that rising construction costs are making it more challenging.
Minister Darragh O’Brien TD added, “I would like to commend Respond’s work in supporting families across the country, both in terms of delivering new homes and the wider community support services it offers.”
The annual report showed that last year, on top of its social housing, Respond supported 92 families through its Refugee Resettlement programme.
Respond’s early learning and school aged care services supported 483 children, 277 of whom were aged five and below, and emergency accommodation was provided for 207 homeless families.
These homelessness services included 319 children, of whom 200 were five years old or younger.
The day care services care for 168 older people, and more than 300 people were cared for through Respond’s Family Support services.
