Desperate residents facing mass eviction from an apartment complex by a vulture fund have been saved in a pioneering social housing deal.
Some 29 people were set to be turfed out of the 78-unit Leeside apartment block in Cork.
But Clúid Housing, along with Cork City Council, have bought the property in a deal worth around €20million.
The purchase means a further 59 households from the Cork City Council Housing waiting lists will be provided with accommodation at the complex.
James O’Halloran, New Business Manager at Clúid Housing, said: “These units are finished to the highest standard and will provide people in Cork City with long-term, secure homes.
“Clúid has worked with Cork City Council to deliver these units in a matter of months and we hope to begin the process of filling the units next week.
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“This project shows what can been achieved when stakeholders who are committed to housing delivery work together.
“This purchase will help us in our aim of delivering 2,500 homes over three years.”
Brian Geaney, Director of Services for Housing at Cork City Council, added: “This project is another example of the Council taking a pioneering role in relation to the delivery of social housing and its willingness to take a multi-faceted approach to finding solutions to housing challenges in the City.”
Solidarity councillor Fiona Ryan has welcomed the purchase and said it is a “tremendous victory for people power".
Cllr Ryan said: “People power has not only kept a roof over the heads of 13 families, it has opened the door to new homes for 59 Cork households.
“Huge congratulations are due to the Leeside residents. Evictions can be defeated by people power - that is the message that needs to go out now far and wide.
“Where mass evictions are threatened by big landlords, vulture funds etc, the Government should take the proporties into public ownership without compensation, halt the evictions and convert them to public housing.
“With 10,000 in emergency accommodation, this would mean we could not only save homes but where possible, as in this case, actually provide new ones.”
