The Revival of the Local Programme!

As I previously mentioned the ‘local programme’ in Dublin has been dormant for the past few years. Habitat Ireland has instead been sending groups of volunteers abroad to spread the message and build homes in impoverished communities around the world. Meanwhile Ireland has felt the recession as much, if not more, than us in the States. In the 3 months I’ve been here I can say I have not witnessed any new construction in the greater Dublin area (pop 1.6mil). This is quite different from where I last worked in Bellevue, WA where there were at one time 14 cranes in a city of 120,000. Anyways, my job of course as the Local Programme Manager is to revitalize/bring back the Local Programme in Dublin. I am so happy to announce that we finally have our 1st “big” project! As you can see below I have my work cut out for me!

Being that Dublin is such an old developed city, renovations are much easier to come by than new building opportunities. This is why we have partnered with Dublin City Council to renovate derelict, abandoned properties that diminish the local neighbourhoods. This particular building is actually quite the find. I’ve looked at a lot of potential properties around the city ranging from a tiny 3 room cottage with an outhouse, to this historic-front old townhouse residence. The cost benefit is really amazing as there are no significant structural repairs necessary. With a lot of cosmetic work, a new kitchen, new bath, they will be really beautiful homes.

The building is comprised of 6 units: 3 two-story 3-bedroom townhomes, with 3 daylight basement 1-bedroom apartments below. The unit on the left (and apt below it) has already been privately renovated and is actually a lovely home. I now have the other 4 units to renovate and turn into HFH homes. One of the main initial hurdles is that the townhome on the right side has been completely over-run by pigeons for the past 2 years; meaning that there is pigeon excrement, feathers, and corpses on almost every inch of the interior.

House of Horrors!

This presents a number of health and safety issues however after professional fumigation and cleaning services it will be ready for volunteers, tradesman, and the families to begin work on site. The Family Selection Process and the Family Training Programme are also on my plate. This means finding compatible low-income families from the city housing waiting list who want to partner with Habitat (i.e. contribute 250hrs) and qualify for our pre-arranged no-interest bank loan. It is a really great opportunity for families who would otherwise never be able to become homeowners. These homes in particular, in a great location in Dublin, will be a huge asset.

Note the high ceiling moulding... so much potential!

I am sooo excited about starting this project, but for the purposes of contrast/irony I thought I would display for anyone who hasn’t seen, my last 2 projects.

Quite different...