The sod has been turned on a major building project in Moyross in Limerick, where the Peter McVerry Trust is constructing 38 homes and in Southill where people will get a house and a job.
Twenty-four houses will be built in Delmege Park in Moyross and the remaining 14 in Southill, made up of two and three bedroom homes.
The new homes will be modular homes, which are factory built and assembled on site.
The project is being delivered with the support of Limerick City Council and the Department of Housing as part of the ongoing regeneration project in both areas.
They will provide homes for people on the housing list in Limerick, which currently stands at 2,362.
There is also a social clause attached to the project and an employment dividend in that people who are long-term unemployed in both areas will be trained and skilled up as part of the construction project.
Construction is due to begin by the end of this month, and completed with tenants occupying the new homes by the end of the year.
CEO of Peter McVerry Trust Pat Doyle said it was a hugely important project in Moyross and Southill in partnership with Limerick City and County Council, and builds on the continuing work they have been doing in the community where they established their first regional office in Limerick in 2016.
"The 38 homes that we are building here, are very much in keeping with our specialisation as an organisation as most of the homes we deliver are linked to urban regeneration.
"This project could not have happened without the support of Limerick City and County Council, and the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage. The programme of works will commence in this month and is scheduled for completion by December 2021.
"As part of our ongoing supports and management of these new homes all the new tenants will receive ongoing supports from our local Housing with Supports team based in our Limerick office. All the people housed in these new homes will be coming from the local authority housing list and become tenants of Peter McVerry Trust," Mr Doyle said.
Mayor of Limerick Cllr Michael Collins said: "This is a very positive project across our regeneration areas and will not only bring with it much needed homes but also training and job opportunities for people in Limerick.
"The timing of the project on-site gives a much-needed lift to our communities as we emerge from Lockdown restrictions and move to accelerate our economic recovery".
Chief Executive of Limerick City and County Council,Dr Pat Daly said: "I want to pay tribute to the efforts of the team in working with the Peter McVerry Trust and Department Officials to deliver this Modular Build housing project as part of our Regeneration programme in Limerick.
"The key innovation here comes from the fact that the delivery of housing is being directly linked with the creation of employment opportunities in Limerick- this is a real win win for all concerned".
Aoife Duke, Director of Housing Development at Limerick City and County Council, said: "We are delighted to see this project progress on site for a number of reasons, the homes will be high quality and energy efficient for the householder, the homes will fill out certain sites thereby knitting together existing housing in both areas."
In addition to the new housing the project is off-site modular build, minimising disruption to the existing communities.
The company delivering the homes are based in the Galvone Industrial Estate, Southill.
Under the Social Clause attached to the contract the Company are providing employment opportunities for people who have also engaged in pre-employment training also being supported through the Regeneration programme.
