Last week, more than 80 individuals and families were welcomed to their new homes in Hallidays Mill, Dundalk.

Hallidays Mill is an apartment complex of 85 BER A3 rated one-bed, two-bed and three-bed apartments which were delivered by CHI and stakeholders, in response to need in the area.

Moving in on the day was a mixture of households from Dundalk and surrounding areas, including individuals who had been in homeless services.

Housing Officer, Lar Roddy, said that there was an air of excitement as people received their keys.

“People knew each week and each month that the day was getting closer to them moving in, and they nearly had to pinch themselves when they realised they have the keys and it’s now finally their apartment.”

For many of the people moving in, their new home means a new lease of independence and autonomy. Leanne Crosby had been living at home with her parents and her siblings while on the waiting list.

“I’m looking forward to having my own freedom and getting my own independence … I can basically start my life.”

Elaine McCann had also been living at home with family, and her 5-year-old daughter. She had been on the housing waiting list almost 5 years and is delighted that they now have their own space.

“I’m looking forward to getting space for me and my daughter. It’ll be great to get our own space to do our own thing.”

Speaking about the apartment itself, she said,

“It’s beautiful. I’m up on the 4th floor looking out over the sea, so it has a nice view. The apartment is so spacious, I wasn’t expecting it to be so big inside.”

The complex was originally built in the early 2000s but fell into disrepair. CHI, in partnership with Louth County Council, and with support from the Department of Housing, the Housing Agency, and the Housing Finance Agency were able to acquire the renovated development. Hallidays Mill, formerly Ard Deaglan was completely gutted and fully refurbished, with additions of new external and internal insulation, new windows and doors, and new state-of-the art air-to-water heat pumps and mechanical ventilation systems. The inclusion of these fixtures means the development has a BER A3 rating, which ensures lower costs in heating and electricity for CHI members. During the construction work, 12 apartments were added to the original number of 73, and the building now has new CCTV and alarm systems.

The development is located just a short 5-minute drive from Dundalk town centre and a 10-minute walk to St. Helena’s Park with schools, shops and other amenities close by. Co-operative Housing Ireland and other Approved Housing Bodies are working with local authorities to deliver much needed homes to low-income households. This recent development will go some way in relieving the social housing waiting list in Louth, which currently has around 1,000 households on it.

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