<p>Valhalla, an independent living scheme, in the heart of Clondalkin has scooped two awards at the Irish Council for Social Housing Community Housing Awards held on 16th September in Tullamore.</p>
<p>The scheme won the category ‘Housing for People with Disabilities’ and also the top award of the evening ‘Overall Winner 2015’.</p>
<p>The awards, which take place every two years, are aimed at recognising and promoting quality in housing delivery, management and services to tenants and communities.</p>
<p>Valhalla is a joint initiative between Clanmil Ireland and South Dublin County Council and provides homes for people with disabilities and able bodied tenants.</p>
<p>The building itself has been built to a very high specification and is a pilot scheme under the Government’s initiative ‘Towards Carbon Neutral’ homes.</p>
<p>The commentary from the Judging panel was : </p>
<p>“An exemplar architectural, social and sustainable design for the provision of housing for people with disabilities. </p>
<p>Clanmil Ireland and South Dublin County Council applied an excellent innovative approach to sourcing funding to achieve overall design objectives and successfully collaborated to ensure optimum outcomes for tenant well-being. The project is a real success from the point of view of all the stakeholders involved and it represents a good practice model that can be replicated for independent living in meeting the varying needs of people with disabilities”</p>
<p>Martina Smith, Clanmil Ireland Chief Executive says ‘</p>
<p>‘We at Clanmil Ireland and all of our residents in Valhalla are absolutely delighted to win this award. Valhalla is a great example of how innovation and good partnership working can make a real difference to tenants’ lives and we hope to continue to provide homes to this standard for those in need in the future ’</p>
<p>Johnny Murtagh, a resident said:</p>
<p>“It means a lot to me to live here because I can do a lot more that I could do before in my previous accommodation. I didn’t think I could move here in the beginning but would now like to advocate this type of housing for other people. It’s great having my own place and lots of space, the neighbours and Clanmil staff are very kind. I talk a lot more than I did before. I’m very happy!”</p>
<p>Eddie Conroy, County Architect, South Dublin County Council added:<strong> </strong></p>
<p>“South Dublin County Council architects sought to deliver a high-quality modern building that successfully incorporates principles of sustainability and social integration.</p>
<p>In the spirit of the ‘Towards Carbon Neutral’ agenda, a suite of new technologies and materials was utilised to build these homes with minimal impact on resources and energy during construction and in use during their lifetime. The principles of Universal Design and Lifetime Homes were central to the successful outcome of the design process.</p>
<p>The result is an infill site with easy access to bus corridors and local services.Its integration into the community ensures the ease of professional and local support and maximises potential for both participation by tenants and development of outreach services”.</p>
<p> -ENDS-</p>
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<p>Image 1 (l-r) James Gleeson, Allianz (awards sponsor), Lorraine Byrne, Architectural technologist SDCC, Sharon O’Grady, Architect SDCC, Martina Smith, Chief Executive Clanmil Ireland, Cllr Eamon Dooley, Mayor of Offaly, Justin O’Brien, ICSH President, David Caird, Chair Clanmil Ireland, Elaine Fairley, Estates Officer Clanmil Ireland, Denise Doorly, Development Officer Clanmil Ireland</p>
<p>Image 2 The Building Valhalla, an Independant Living Scheme.</p>