New Housing Project in Thomondgate Brings ‘Forever Homes’ to Former Derelict Site

Mirth Housing Project was funded with grant aid from the Department of Housing under the Capital Assistance Scheme (CAS), administered by Limerick City and County Council, with additional support from the JP McManus Trust. Picture: Shane Vaughan

Mirth Housing Project offers secure homes for people over fifty who have experienced homelessness

A once-derelict riverside site in Thomondgate, Limerick, has been transformed into secure homes for people over fifty who have experienced homelessness.

The €5 million Mirth Housing Project was funded with grant aid from the Department of Housing under the Capital Assistance Scheme (CAS), administered by Limerick City and County Council, with additional support from the JP McManus Trust. The Associated Charities Trust (ACT) worked in partnership with the Department of Environment and Housing, Limerick City and County Council, and the JP McManus Fund to develop the 18-apartment project.

On July 25th, 2017, the Department of Environment and Housing approved a Capital Assistance Scheme Grant to build the project. Enablement works were carried out to demolish old cottages and sheds on the property and de-risk the site. Construction began in November 2022 and was targeted for completion in July 2024, followed by fit-out of the apartments to make them ready for residents, according to ThomondHouse.ie.

advertisement
advertisement

advertisement
advertisement

advertisement
advertisement

advertisement
advertisement

advertisement
advertisement

advertisement
advertisement

Housing places at Mirth Housing are managed under an allocation procedure agreed with Limerick City and County Council Homeless Action Team. Lease rental conditions and robust ACT management regulations apply to all residents. Eleven women and seven men have secured residency at the gated apartment block, Live 95fm and Limerick Post report.

Elaine Cook said she hit “rock bottom” when her landlord sold her home and she ended up living in a tent. Limerick women’s refuge Thomond House, run by ACT, stepped in and initially provided her with temporary accommodation, she told the Limerick Post.

“When they told me I had got the apartment, I broke down in tears. All I can say is, if you hang tough, good things do happen,” Elaine told the Limerick Post.

“Living in a tent was absolutely horrendous. I was lying on cardboard in my tent trying to keep myself warm, it was horrendous, trying to be clean.”

She believes that “nobody should be homeless in this day and age” and said that people who are used to living in secure accommodation, especially public servants and politicians, “have no understanding” of the reality of homelessness.

“Until you’ve actually gone through it, you don’t understand what it’s like,” she said, calling for more social housing schemes. Thanking ACT and the staff at Thomond House, Cook added that now she has a secure roof over her head, “every day is a good day.”

Fellow resident Ger, a man in his 70s who experienced a relationship break-up, said, “The apartment here is luxurious compared to what I’ve been used to, and because I’ve had mental health issues over the course of my life, having this place is a great relief to me. I know now that this is here until they carry me out in a coffin.”

Mayor John Moran spoke to the Limerick Leader saying, “We need homes in the next 15 years for Limerick for 12,000 people. That’ll give you some idea of the scale of the mountain. There is no priority which is greater for me than housing in terms of Limerick City and County Council.”

Meanwhile, Erin O’Shaughnessy and Teresa Nolan continue to wait for permanent housing while staying at Thomond House. Erin said living without long-term accommodation is “scary” and added, “There’s really sad cases out there, and it breaks your heart to see it, but that’s our reality,” she told the Limerick Post.

Teresa Nolan said, “I want to move on from Thomond House and get my own little place, something that would suit me, because I’ve got a walking aid. The refuge is a stepping stone to somewhere else.”

The €5 million development was funded by the Department of Housing under the Capital Assistance Scheme administered by Limerick City and County Council, with support from the JP McManus Trust. The apartments were allocated to men and women over fifty from the Council housing list to address homelessness in this demographic.

The day-to-day operation of the Women’s Homeless Hostel at Thomond House is funded jointly by Limerick City and County Council and the HSE, with services closely linked to statutory agencies providing integrated homeless services in the Mid-West. The Associated Charities Trust says it is happy to have transformed a derelict site at this historic location for the benefit of the wider community and expressed gratitude to staff, neighbours, and everyone involved in the project.