Bundoran's new 42 social housing units go out to tender 

Bundoran is finally getting some desperately needed social housing with the news that tender applications are being sought for the construction of a new 42 unit Social Housing Unit at Gort na Gréine, Drumacrin in the East End of the town.
The deadline for the process is set for mid January and it is hoped that work can start on the project as early as March of next year.
Bundoran based Cllr Michael McMahon warmly welcomed the news, but said that it was long overdue, especially with the “absurd levels of rent” people in the county were being expected to pay at present.
It was also the first social housing construction in town since the abolition of the old Bundoran Town Council, more than twenty years ago .
Donegal County Council say that the construction of 42 social housing units will comprise of 20 two-bed apartments in 7, two storey blocks; 9 two bed 2 storey houses; 9 three-bed 2-storey houses, 3 four-Bed 2-storey houses; 1 six-bed (specially adapted) 2-storey house and all associated site development works including foul drain pumping station with rising main, stormwater attenuation system and controlled pedestrian crossing point.
The development is also set to include a communal green and open space, a new access road and all associated site development works.

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Cllr McMahon told the paper: “The applications have now gone out seeking contractors, so that will take about six weeks roughly, everything going according to plan.
“Work would then start around March. And there is hope with the new local area development plan, that lands adjacent to the new development can also be opened up.
He said that the last development of any social housing of any significance was at Elaghmore in the West End of town and that dated back to when he was a member of the now abolished town council and that was some 20 years ago.

Who will be on the list to get these houses?

When asked as to who would be entitled to the new houses, he said that there was a number of families on the housing list and some had been on it for a significant length of time.
When asked if any Ukrainian refugees would be housed in the new units, he said that he was unaware of any social housing in town being occupied by Ukrainians.

Bundoran's Main Street Photo: Michael McHugh

“I would be hoping that people that are on the housing list for quite a number of years will get the first chance. I would say, without the figure in front of me, that about a hundred people are on the local housing wait list at present.
“This is a welcome project on all levels regarding housing at present as we have a national emergency when it comes to housing as far as I am concerned.
“I would say that this is long long overdue and the housing crisis in Donegal is at an all time high. People are paying absurd levels of rent, and are not able to afford the rent. It is causing all sorts of problems for families including sickness and health issues, extreme stress and constant worry and multiple sorts of associated issues. These high rents are totally unacceptable in this day and age.

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Regarding the competition date, he personally hoped that all going well it would be ready in about two years but that would be subject to things going well from the turning of the sod.