Joy for 20 Mayo families as they settle into their new A-rated homes
Co-operative Housing Ireland (CHI) has launched 20 new homes in Humbert Close, Humbert Way, Castlebar.
The cathaoirleach of Mayo County Council, Councillor Seamus Weir, and leas-cathaoirleach of Castlebar Municipal District, Councillor Blackie Gavin, officially opened the estate.
Councillor Weir stated, “These homes were delivered through strong partnership between Mayo County Council and Co-operative Housing Ireland. We look forward to continuing these collaborative efforts to meet social housing need in the area.”
Councillor Gavin said: “It is a pleasure to see these new A-rated houses become homes for families and individuals from the Castlebar housing waiting list.”
The chief executive of Mayo County Council, Kevin Kelly, said the council has a social housing target of 730 new builds by the end of 2026 under the Housing for All programme.
He said the council is working hard to ensure that it delivers well in excess of this target.
"While Mayo County Council will be delivering the majority of the houses directly we are also working with and supporting approved housing bodies like Co-operative Housing Ireland in delivering social housing.
"Ito take this opportunity to thank Co-operative Housing Ireland for their commitment and professionalism in completing this project to a very high standard that will provide further top quality, sustainable housing to people from the wider Castlebar area in the years to come.”
Humbert Close is a development of 16 three-bed and four two-bed new semi-detached A-rated homes in a residential area close to Castlebar town centre. The estate represents a large portion of the social housing delivery in the area.
CHI’s Director of New Business, Padraic Clancy, said: “Not only does Humbert Close provide much needed homes for those on the Castlebar social housing waiting list, it also represents new growth in Mayo and the West of Ireland for CHI as an organisation.”
“CHI is delighted to have been able to deliver 20 out of the 89 social-rented homes delivered in Mayo in 2022, in partnership with Mayo County Council, the Department of Housing, and the Housing Finance Agency, with local builder Martin Moran.
"This delivery has brought the number of CHI households in the county to 30. We’re pleased with our work to date, but we want to build on this.”
CHI member Miranda Kearney moved into her new home in Humbert Close in January with her son Jax.
Discussing life in her new home, Miranda said: “I’m happy to have a safe and secure place especially knowing that this is Jax’s forever home and where all his firsts will take place. It’s really exciting and such a relief knowing our home is secure. I’m so grateful.”
Humbert Close is conveniently located near local amenities and near Mayo University Hospital, ATU third-level college, Mayo County Council head office, the local fire brigade and the garda station.
The estate’s name owes to the history of the area in which General Humbert along with the United Irishmen defeated the Redcoats in 1798 in a battle that has become known as The Races of Castlebar.
Humbert Close is the home of 20 families, each of whom will be a member of the Connacht Co-operative allowing people living in the estate to have a meaningful say in how their homes and communities are managed.
Humbert Close was delivered in partnership with Mayo County Council, the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage, the Housing Finance Agency, the Housing Agency, and the estate was built by Martin Moran Builders Limited.