New Dublin Homeowners Celebrate Community Support from Charity

A young couple has expressed their gratitude towards the housing charity Respond after securing a new home in Dublin. Sifon Abasi Ambrose and his fiancée, Camilla, recently transitioned from a shared apartment to their own residence as they prepare for their upcoming wedding. The couple faced a challenging market, with high rental prices complicating their search for suitable accommodation.

Sifon Abasi Ambrose described their experience as “quite emotional” when they received the keys to their new home at Seven Mills, a development in Clonburris. After applying to Respond, they became part of its cost rental tenant programme. “We started looking out for apartments we could live in, and it was really expensive what was on the market,” he said.

Ambrose, who moved to Ireland five years ago to study at Dublin Business School, now works as an analyst for a financial institution. He expressed his excitement about the new neighbourhood, stating, “When we got to see the area of the house, we were in love with it at first sight. It was a new build, it was warm, and the neighbours are friendly.”

The couple appreciates the sense of community they have found in Seven Mills. Ambrose noted, “I feel that I’ve got that community because my neighbours have learned new languages and new cultures. I even got a kebab a few days back from my neighbour who was having a party.”

Respond’s Impact on Housing in Ireland

Respond is Ireland’s largest construction-led Approved Housing Body (AHB) and service provider. In 2024, it is on track to deliver 972 new social and cost rental homes, marking its highest annual output to date. Niamh Randall, the director of strategy and public affairs at Respond, stated, “These are very much on target in terms of delivery. We’d feel quite positive that those homes are on track.”

This year’s projected delivery follows a significant increase in Respond’s output, with 885 new homes completed in 2023, representing a 28 percent increase from the previous year. These homes account for approximately 6 percent of all new social housing built nationally, helping to alleviate the ongoing housing crisis in Ireland. The organization currently manages 8,510 properties for over 19,000 tenants.

Government Support for Housing Initiatives

The launch of Respond’s 2024 annual report, which highlighted these achievements, was attended by Minister for Housing James Browne. He emphasized the government’s commitment to improving housing delivery in Ireland. “We’re keeping a very close eye on every aspect to it,” he remarked. “We know we have to get a step change.”

Browne mentioned recent budget announcements aimed at enhancing affordability and protecting renters as part of the government’s strategy to address the housing crisis. “That’s why we’ve made significant decisions around viability,” he added.

As the housing situation in Ireland continues to evolve, organizations like Respond play a crucial role in providing affordable living options and fostering community connections for those in need. The stories of individuals like Ambrose and Camilla highlight the positive impact of such initiatives amid ongoing challenges in the housing market.