FOLD HOUSING NEW DOLPHIN PARK DEVELOPMENT SHORTLISTED FOR EUROPEAN AWARD
Regeneration project in Rialto one of five finalists in European Responsible Housing Awards 2022
Fold Housing, the Approved Housing Body specializing in providing homes for older persons and families, has been shortlisted in the prestigious European Responsible Housing Awards 2022 for their development at New Dolphin Park in Rialto, Dublin 8.
The development is one of five finalists, selected out of seventy applicants from across Europe, in the “More than a roof – supporting communities of equal opportunities” category, with winners announced in June.
Denis Buckley, CEO, Fold Housing said: “We are delighted to be finalists in this esteemed Awards and to be recognised for our work in placemaking and building sustainable local communities. This is an endorsement of our innovative approach to social housing where we focus on our tenants’ well-being, quality of life and their empowerment. This is at the core of responsible housing. We provide them with more than good quality houses, we provide them with homes they can be happy and safe in, we provide them with a place they are proud to call home”.
Fold Housing places huge importance on supporting tenants to live happy, fulfilled lives in their developments. Each Fold Housing development has a dedicated housing officer and Tenant Engagement officers to support residents and respond to their needs. Every new tenant is engaged with to ensure they fully understand their obligations as tenants of Fold Housing and what is expected of them. Equally, they are also informed of what they can expect from Fold Housing as landlords. Tenants are empowered with regular formal engagement meetings and tenant satisfaction surveys. Fold Housing and their tenants work closely together to create a positive and welcoming environment.
New Dolphin Park consists of 43 apartments replacing the existing outdated older persons accommodation located in Dolphin Park built in 1957 offering an opportunity for older people to age in place within their community. Built to the latest Universal Design guidelines, each unit has the needs of older residents fully considered with features such as automated door entry and lifts to upper floors, as well as Radius Connect 24 security technologies.
A secure central courtyard with open walkways on the upper levels is at the centre of the scheme providing a sunny outdoor space to meet, sit and chat with neighbours, friends and family. It is also home to Ireland’s first purpose-built community kitchen, a social space in which both residents and locals alike can come together for hot meals and community activities.
New Dolphin Park previously won a national award in the ‘Housing for Older People” category at the 2021 Irish Council for Social Housing Allianz Biennial Community Housing Awards.
The European Responsible Housing Awards are an initiative of the European Commission (DG Enterprise, DELPHIS and Housing Europe). A jury chaired by the International Union of Tenants, and including national tenant unions, civil society organisations, associations of local authorities, financial institutions, academics and housing professionals will decide on the winner. The laureate will be announced on Thursday 16 June during the Awards Ceremony which will take place at the International Social Housing Festival, in Helsinki, Finland.
____________________________________________________________________________
Denise Maguire Editor of Irish Construction Industry Magazine & Plan Magazine
