Kildare Nationalist* Tuesday, 23 December 2014 Page: 9
Circulation: Area of Clip: Page 1 of 2
6300 41500mm²
Homefor Christmas
“Getting word last sarance while we ; was a news story and it was were finalising this year that we were to a very challenging task project which was the get our new home ONE of the good news that required innovation right course of action to was a nice Christmas stories of 2014 was present, being here for be taken for everyone.” and creative resolving the issues at Christmas this year is thinking to get it done. the Coneyboro housing like winning the lotto.” The council, the town estate in Athy and the Paulette, who is originally council, the voluntary allocation of 43 houses from Jamaica, housing sector, the to new residents. explained that she has developer and the The resolution of the been in Ireland for the Department of the Environment long running saga was past 13 years. “We all came to the a mammoth task which love it here. We had required co-operation table and worked at it. been living in Rheban between several “It could have gone the Manor in private rented different organisations accommodation before legal route and it could and it is believed have been tied up for we moved to the to be the first estate years. But we got the Coneyboro. where such an initiative “This is our first home agreement of all of the was undertaken. stakeholders involved that we can call our Co-ordinated by Kildare and this outcome was own. I knew I could Co Council the initiative far better for everyone.” never buy a house and involved bringing Of the 43 houses I am getting older so the banks that were involved 35 were to have a home to call involved in the development, our own makes me very purchased by the Cluid the developer, Housing Association happy. “Cluid are like a the voluntary housing with the remaining family to us, they have sector, The Department eight in council given us a nice warm of the Environment and ownership. Mr Boland home and things have the former Athy Town said this allowed the never been better for Council together to us. The Coneyboro is complete the work. developer to finish the a lovely place to live One of those to estate. and in the summer the benefit from the development “Our (Kildare Co children have a nice being finished Council) first role was place to go out and was Paulette Moses as a planning authority plav.” and her two children, and our concern was to Ms Moses says that Luke, aged eight, and ensure that the estate there is a real sense Blessing, aged 13, was finished in line with of community in the who are now tenants the planning permission Coneyboro. of the Cluid Voluntary that had been “I hadn’t known any Housing Association. granted. of the people who are Paulette spoke to “Our biggest concern now my neighbours the Kildare Nationalist had been that houses before we moved to about their joy at their were being vandalised here but they are lovely first Christmas in their and there was an people and we all get own home. impact on the sense on very well. “We are very excited, of community in the “It is very quiet and the children have very good here. We Coneyboro. Finishing smiles on their faces have made many good the estate has meant and we are delighted friends and we have that there is increased to be spending our first lovely neighbours.” social cohesion in the Christmas in our new Prior to the abolition estate. home. of Athy Town Council “It's important for “We got the news last Mr Joe Boland held the people that they can December (2013) that position of Athy Town be proud of where we were to get a house. Manager and it was he they live and I want to We came over and had who drove the initiative thank the members a look around and we on behalf of the of the council and the were deciding where council. local residents for their we would put stuff. By Noel O’Driscoll
Circulation: Area of Clip: Page 2 of 2
Kildare Nationalist* Tuesday, 23 December 2014 Page: 9
Lia and Aaron Cunningham home at Coneyboro
with
dog Max enjoying
their
first
Christmas
in their
6300 41500mm²