Delays to three regeneration projects in Dublin's south city have resulted in the loss of almost 600 council houses, whilst almost 1,700 promised public homes have not yet been delivered.
Regeneration boards claim this has led to an increase in anti-social behaviour, the loss of key infrastructure, damage to the social fabric of communities and has eroded people's confidence in the regeneration process.
The projects in St Teresa's Gardens, Dolphin House and Emmet Road in Inchicore began in 2001, 2004 and 2006 respectively. While another regeneration project at Oliver Bond Street flats is due to begin in 2027.
A total of 576 public housing units have been removed in the Dublin 8 area as part of these projects and 1,673 new homes have also not yet been delivered.
The Regeneration Co-ordinator for Dolphin House and Dolphin Park said the delay has increased the social housing list in the area to 2,400 and caused other social issues.
"The first of the regeneration projects in Dublin 8 commenced nearly 25 years ago and the processes have been dogged by persistent delays," Manus Bree said.
He added: "The vacancy and dereliction issues associated with people having been moved out have led to an increase in anti-social behaviour in the areas concerned and the public realm has become run-down and abandoned."
There are concerns among locals that the long delays in constructing the new homes and facilities will undermine the community fabric in the areas, according to Mr Bree.
He said that many of the families who previously lived there are opting not to return.
"The fact that the regeneration processes haven’t been completed has led to the removal of vital community infrastructure from Dublin 8 including four football pitches, a playground and two community centres."
Dublin South City Partnership CEO Una Lowry said many tenants and residents have lost confidence in the regeneration process.
"Keeping residents on board the regeneration process is now a major challenge because of a lack of confidence due to how slow, difficult and frustrating the experience has been."
'Let down'
Ms Lowry said that people feel "let down" as they see their original communities fragment and break down due to the delays and frustration.
"There is a lack of trust or belief that the residents’ views are being listened to or actually included in decision-making which is why it is becoming increasingly more difficult to get the communities to engage."
She added: "Communication by the authorities with the communities undergoing regeneration is poor and the communities feel there is a lack of real commitment to drive the regeneration processes forward.
"People currently living in the communities undergoing regeneration are angry at being left to live with poor maintenance, anti-social behaviour, litter and non-existent play and other community facilities."
The Regeneration Boards have called on the incoming government to act on the Housing Commission’s proposal to establish a Housing Oversight Delivery Executive to help tackle the difficulties that have delayed the projects.
"There needs to be a sea-change in how these regeneration projects are being progressed after nearly a quarter century on the road," Ms Lowry said.
"We need to ensure that the constant legal and procurement issues are sorted out for once and for all and that the management capacity is put in place to deliver these projects in a timely manner," she added.
In a statement the Department of Housing said it fully supports the regeneration projects in Dublin's south city and that funding has been approved for all of these programmes.
It said it is also engaging fully with the Report of the Housing Commission and that significant progress has been made in mapping out the implementation of the Commission's recommendations.
Dublin City Council said it is making progress with the delivery of new social and affordable homes in the broader Dublin 8 area, with some home built and others due for construction in the coming years
"At St Teresa’s Gardens 54 new social homes were built as part of phase 1 in 2020. There are now a further 543 new social and affordable cost rental homes on site set to be delivered in 2028.
"Work is also progressing at Emmet Road in Inchicore where the enabling works contract to clear the site and get the land ready for development is under way.
"Following this, the main works contractor will be appointed in 2025 to deliver 578 new social and affordable cost rental homes."
The council added: "At Dolphin House the first set of 100 new social homes were built in 2018 and a planning application for the next housing phase is set to be launched in Q2 2025 for 28 new social homes.
"And the Council is currently progressing work on an overarching masterplan and planning application for the remainder of the site for c.700 new social and affordable homes along with new community spaces and public parks."
