Skip to main content

Inis Housing Association – Addressing the socio-economic welfare of tenants

Addressing the socio-economic welfare of tenants:

Inis Housing Association Ltd. (IHA) is an approved housing body and an affiliated member of the Irish Council for Social Housing and is dedicated to providing quality, low energy homes within the Munster region.

On September 28th 2011 IHA received a prestigious National award for the best Part V development of 10 houses in Monard Co. Tipperary.

This story is worth telling as it shows what can be achieved through careful design, creative planning, and by putting the needs of tenants and their environment first. If we take a closer look it becomes clear why IHA. achieved this award on its very first entry.

The small village of Monard in Co.Tipperary is a 10 minutes drive north of Tipperary town and 25 minutes south of Limerick City. The development, though small, has addressed many important elements and aspects of housing needs.

Most of the tenants have been taken from the South Tipperary County Council’s (STCC) approved housing list with one tenant chosen from the Safe Home Programme. The development consists of 8 two-storey houses and 2 bungalows for elderly.

In many ways Inis Grove is a first of its kind in Ireland. The houses are built to the highest standards both in quality and finish. They incorporate the very best in sustainable, renewable and environmental building initiatives that create a minimal impact on the environment and offer tenants comfort and low running costs.

Addressing “fuel poverty “
This has been achieved in several ways; the houses are of a super-warm construction with an integrated heating system, combining high efficiency solar panels with quality pellet boilers. Based on recent feedback received from tenants, costs for heating and hot water now average out at approximately €20 per week during the winter period. This together with affordable rents supports tenants and their families in offering a way out of the “poverty trap”. Apart from the economics, the provision of a warm, secure and cosy home meets a basic human need that supports an overall sense of personal well-being.

Each house has a micro grey water recycling system. This system filters and recycles bath and shower water for subsequent use in toilets. In the two-storey houses, it provides for two toilets and one in the bungalows. On average it saves 30% of mains drinking water; it thereby minimizes water usage, water management requirements and offers a potential savings to residents when water meters are installed.

It is a feature of many housing estates in Ireland to see TV aerials strapped to chimneys with satellite dishes and cables hung from walls every which way. With the use of fibre-optic cable, all houses in the estate are connected into one system, minimizing expense at an energy requirement costing less than €10 for all 10 houses per year and having minimal visual impact on the houses.

There are several other details and initiatives that one’s attention could be drawn to. For example the use of natural light is maximized in each house through thoughtful site lay-out and includes the use of “natural- light-tunnels” in each house. A good deal of thought has gone into the external aesthetic of the houses and the external use of a specialized long life colour/plaster finish with an attractive traditional appearance also requiring minimal maintenance. There’s a community bicycle parking stand, an array of shrubs and trees planted with well laid out garden areas encompassing a design that incorporates beauty and practicality. But most of all, these homes offer security, quality and affordability to the families living in the village of Monard.

Designed by
Riaz Afzal
Initiatives Architects Ltd.

Project Development
Seamus Murphy of
Housingmatters
 

Tenant 1

The day we received the letter that we had got one of the houses in Inis Grove would have been the highlight of our twilight years.

The overall appearance of the estate is beautiful and secluded. The structure of the house is excellent and very well laid out. The heating system is the envy of all my family and friends as all I have to do is press a button, and the pellet stove system is so efficient and economical to run, I don’t know myself. Water charges will be reduced next year for me because I m fortunate to have a grey water system installed.

With the solar panels hot water flows from the taps on demand during the Spring and Summer months.

Sadly I m now living alone since my husband passed away in April but I have to say that combined with the security and knowledge that my neighbours are there for me.

Inis Grove to me is peace of mind. I love the great community spirit and pride of place.

Yours sincerely,
Mary

Tenant 2

We’ve lived at the little enclave of Inis Grove, Monard for a couple of years now. I still admire the architecture which makes optimal use of natural light. There are pleasant contrasts; it is safe, well lit and near amenities yet peaceful and private. For someone who has to look after their mental health it has been quite therapeutic. The technology employed makes it very comfortable and we now couldn’t contemplate living anywhere else.

Tom 
 

Tenant 3

Just a few words about our house in Inis Grove. Two years on and I’m still counting my lucky stars that I was selected for a house in Inis Grove. A quiet but perfect location, Inis Grove is very near all the useful places eg Tipperary Town, Local train station and only half an hour from Limerick city. Thankfully our home is very cost effective, electricity bills and fuel are low in cost as we have solar panels and a wood pellet burner. These are also very Eco friendly which is an added bonus. We also have a Grey water system which recycles our water so when water rates do come in they will be low in cost for us too. We have created a very nice and friendly little neighbourhood in Inis Grove and it’s great to be part of it.

Yvonne