It’s a step in the right direction.

Respond, one of Ireland’s largest Approved Housing Bodies and service providers, has announced that it currently has 243 new social and cost rental homes under construction in Cork.

The organisation delivered 39 new social and affordable homes across the county last year.

The announcement was made as Respond’s Annual Report 2021 was launched today by Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage Darragh O’Brien TD, detailing the real impact the organisation has had in local communities across the country.

Respond now owns and manages 678 homes across Cork, supporting more than 175 service users in social housing developments and cost rental schemes, family homeless services, early childhood care, and education, and supports for elderly people and refugees.

“Our Annual Report is a snapshot of the great work carried out by our teams on the ground supporting those who need it most in our communities,” said Respond spokesperson Niamh Randall.

“Central to this support is providing families with access to stable, long-term homes where they can put down roots as part of a local community. Despite the challenge of construction cost inflation, we have 1,422 new social and cost rental homes under construction across the country.”