Delivery delay on new Clúid social homes in Laois

Laois families have been left waiting far beyond Christmas 2024 for keys to their new social homes in Portarlington.

Clúid Housing had stated that the final 12 houses being built in Ballymorris Green, Portarlington would be tenanted by the end of 2024, in a timeline given to Laois County Council. 

However Christmas came and went and this March a relative of one young family anxiously awaiting a home, has contacted the Leinster Express / Laois Live.

"Two weeks ago, the new tenants were at the houses and given access to view and take measurements as there is no flooring and they will have to arrange themselves. On the day they were all told they would have their keys within two weeks. 

"This has been going on too long now and a lot of people are waiting. They should have been in months ago. Seems to be one delay after another with work often stopped for weeks. 

"There are another 11 families involved as well and all have workers lined up to do the flooring but now no start date," the relative said.

The Christmas delivery date had included over 100 social homes in Laois.

Clúid Housing has now responded to say residents will get their keys within weeks, in a statement to the Leinster Express. 

"Clúid’s vision is a society where everyone has a great place to live. We are, therefore, delighted that twelve new homes in Ballymorris Green, Portarlington, Co. Laois, are due to come into the ownership of Clúid Housing next week. These high-quality, A-rated houses will provide secure long-term homes for people in housing need in the Laois area. Between 2022 and 2024, Clúid delivered 317 social and Cost Rental homes in Laois.

"Clúid had expected the homes in Ballymorris Green to be completed in Q4 2024, but a number of delays on site regrettably meant this was not possible. They have now been signed off by the Building Control Management System of Laois County Council and we expect residents to begin getting their keys in the coming weeks," a spokesperson said.

They explained that there is funding to help families furnish their homes.

"We are looking forward to supporting our new residents as they settle into their homes and begin to build their community.

"Regarding flooring, as standard, Clúid only provides flooring in kitchen and bathroom areas. This allows residents to choose their own flooring, according to their individual tastes and needs. Residents may apply for an Additional Needs Payment from their local Community Welfare Service to help with the costs of setting up their new homes," Clúid said.