Clúid to Meet Dublin Councillors Over Scrapped 40-Unit Cost-Rental Scheme in Cabra
Clúid will meet Dublin councillors over its decision to convert 40 cost-rental units to social housing in a 144-apartment Cabra complex. The change, attributed to rising maintenance costs making the cost-rental element unviable, has sparked councillor concern over Clúid's unilateral action and the future of similar projects.
Clúid, a non-profit housing body, will meet Dublin city councillors next week regarding its decision to scrap 40 cost-rental apartments from a 144-unit complex on Bannow Road, Cabra, changing them to social housing. The land for the scheme was provided by the local authority, with 40 units originally designated for cost-rental to assist workers earning too much for social housing but unable to afford market rents.
Clúid informed the council that the cost-rental element became unviable due to rising future maintenance, cyclical, and component replacement costs, preventing rents from being 25 percent below market rate. Clúid has applied to the Department of Housing for the designation change and is confident of approval.
Councillors, including Cieran Perry (Independent) and Séamas McGrattan (Sinn Féin), expressed concern, stating that Clúid should not unilaterally alter the agreed housing mix. Perry emphasized that the site was transferred based on the provision of cost-rental housing and that councillors will not accept Clúid's decision without consultation. McGrattan highlighted local disappointment and concern that citing maintenance costs as the reason for unviability could jeopardize other cost-rental projects.