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 Respond! Housing Association was founded in Waterford in 1982 and has grown to become Ireland’s largest provider of social housing. We seek to create a positive future for people by alleviating poverty and creating vibrant, socially integrated communities. We do this through providing access to education, childcare, community development programmes, housing and other supports. First established as a company limited by guarantee with charitable status, Respond! Housing Association was approved as a Housing Association by the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government in 1984.
To date Respond! Housing Association has built more than 5,000 homes nationwide with a further 350 under construction. We provide housing for some of the most vulnerable groups in Irish society including those who have lived for long periods in temporary and insecure accommodation. We accommodate different size households, as well as households at different stages of the life cycle, from young to old. We provide housing for people with general needs as well as providing housing for people with special needs, for example elderly people or people with disabilities. We have constructed homes for traditional families, lone-parent families, older persons, homeless and disabled people.
The Beginning of our Work in South Africa:
In late summer 2005, Respond! Housing Association was invited to South Africa by the Diocese of Kokstad (Kwa-Zulu Natal Province) to assist them in developing supports and services for those in need in its area.
Following extensive research and consultation, Respond! Housing Association identified key facilities and supports that needed to be provided, including:
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housing
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training and educational faciliities
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recreational and sporting facilities
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crèches
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day care centres
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medical facilities
Working with the Provincial and Local Government, the local community, specialist consultants and Respond! Housing Association staff based in South Africa, we have focussed our building, training and development work on delivering much needed services to the communities we are involved in. Central to all our work in South Africa is the objective of sustainability. Respond! is always working with the local community to ensure that any facilities created can be maintained and further developed by local residents. Whether it be in Ireland or South Africa, Respond! Housing Association continues to aim to create vibrant, socially integrated communities.
To assist us with these projects, Respond! Housing Association works in partnership with Yondlabantu, Amawele, Friends in Ireland, the Diocese of Kokstad, the Greater Kokstad Municipality, TLC Hospice and other local groups.
The iThembalabantu Centre is the next stage of our committment. The Respond Training Centre will give many people over the next few years many opportunities to uplift themselves and their families to a better quality of life through training and education.
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