Energy-Efficient Demo House Opens In Maynooth Amid Housing Crisis – But Will Stay Empty For A Year

The house also has accessibility features, including contrasting wall colours for visual impairment, and a stair lift for mobility issues.

Kildare County Council has opened an energy efficient "Demo House" that will not be occupied for at least a year.

The house, opened this week in Maynooth, aims to promote energy efficiency.

Kfm understands that some local representatives are not comfortable with the idea of a demo house being used as a project in the middle of a housing crisis.

According to the council, the house, built in the early 1990s, has undergone a comprehensive energy upgrade and retrofit.   

It has an EV charger, and PV panels on the roof.

It has new insulation on internal walls, enhanced airtightness, and the replacement of double-glazed windows with triple glazing.

It also has accessibility features, including contrasting wall colours for visual impairment, and a stair lift for mobility issues.

Speaking to Kfm, Social Democrats Cllr Peter Melrose who attended the launch, said he thinks its' a "good example" of what can be done but "families are struggling with the cost of living".

He said he would like to see the house being allocated to a local as soon as possible because there "are a lot of people" on the social housing waiting list.

In January, 154 adults were registered homeless in Kildare - an increase from 141 in December.

Kfm has spoken to other local representatives who said a lot of people could not afford some of the energy efficiency upgrades that are being showcased as part of the demo.

Other local representatives said some people can not afford to carry out adaptation work to make their house accessible.

They said they would be interested in learning whether or not the demo house garners much interest from locals.

A number of Maynooth University professors have welcomed the move, saying it is "wonderful to have a space like this Demo House to host educational workshops with the community".

Cathaoirleach Cllr Kevin Duffy said the project "demonstrates our commitment to creating a greener and more sustainable future".

The Demo House will be available to the public to view from Thursday 13th March between 10.00am – 1.00pm / and each Thursday morning from 10.00am – 1.00pm thereafter.

The viewing will be by appointment only and booking available on the Demo House booking portal hosted on the council's website.

Meanwhile, child and family support organisation Treoir said family homelessness is a pandemic that needs a "whole government response".

It has compared the growing number of homeless families to the Covid-19 crisis.

Over 2,100 families accessed emergency accommodation last month.

Last year, the organisation received more than 4,000 calls looking for help.

Treoir CEO Damien Peelo says a "cycle of poverty" is keeping people in homelessness.