Regeneration:
The construction of Phase 2A (47 new homes) was opened by Lord Mayor Councillor John Sheehan. Phase 2C (24 new homes) is due for completion in 2021. Tenders have been assessed for Phases 1C & 2B, consisting of 79 new homes, it is envisaged that works will commence on site late 2021. The Tuath development of 21 units returned 7 units in July 2020 with the rest due for completion in Q4 of 2021. The affordable housing scheme, of 17 units, through O Cualann Housing has planning approval and is progressing to tender to be on site in 2021. The design of Phase 3B, consisting of 62 new homes, is being progressed to Part 8. The design of Phase 4A consisting of 43 new homes is being progressed to Part 8.
Acquisition:
The acquisition of 20 homes was completed in 2020, including in particular homes for Housing First, and for the Downsizing Scheme. The City Council expects an ongoing limited acquisition programme in 2021 as momentum increases in the Council’s Build Programme. Priority will be given to the acquisition of properties for Housing First purposes, for larger families / overcrowding situations (4- and 5-bedroom homes) and where off-market opportunities provide value for money, further acquisitions will be considered. The future focus of acquisition will be on “Buy and Renew” properties, formerly vacant and/or derelict, and which can be progressed with fund ing through the Department of Housing and Local Government’s Buy and Renew funding programme.
Adaptation Works:
The City Council has recently completed 32 disabled persons extensions to City Council social housing units at various locations throughout the City. Funding has been obtained for a further 15 disabled persons extensions to complete in 2021, and tendering is commencing in May 2021 for this next phase of delivery.
LIHAF -Old Whitechurch Road:
LIHAF funding has been secured for the delivery of infrastructure to facilitate the delivery of around 600 new homes on this site. Consultants for the design of the infrastructure for the site were appointed in November 2017. The Part 8 permission for the progression of the infrastructural works was approved by An Chomhairle in January 2019. An advance works contract commenced on site in December 2019 and works completed in March 2020. The main works, which commenced on site in March 2020, were completed in February 2021, with the ESB works being completed in March 2021. This significant infrastructural works project has now unlocked this strategic housing site, for the delivery of social and affordable housing. A contract notice was recently placed on the E Tenders website and the OJEU, to seek submissions from candidates for the delivery of social and affordable homes on this site in partnership with Cork City Council and a shortlisting process has been completed to move the procurement process into the outline design proposal stage.
Covid-19 Effects:
Members will be aware that as and from January 2021, non-essential construction sites were shut-down due to increased restrictions in response to Covid-19 with non-essential sites closed until early April 2021. This has resulted in obvious delays to the progression of the capital programme due to shutdown of housing projects which do not qualify for exemption, with resultant delays to completion dates and delivery. In spite of shutdowns on site, much design and planning work continued, and sites continued to progress through planning and tendering stages during this period to ensure no momentum was lost on sites at planning stages.
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