The delivery of the SMART Housing initiative, a key deliverable in the More for Limerick Mayoral Programme 2024-2029, has taken another step forward following the signing of contracts to appoint design teams for the project’s initial phase.
SMART (Short-term Modular Affordable Rental Transition) is intended to accelerate the delivery of affordable, high-quality rental homes for the thousands of workers and others who are finding difficulty accessing the private rental market.
The homes are designed for 1-2 person households, who currently represent over half of Limerick’s housing need.
The appointed design teams following a competitive tender process include Cotter and Naessens Architects, will lead on the architectural design to deliver the initial phase of the programme, which is anticipated to deliver approximately 750 homes.
Garland Consulting Engineers have also been appointed to lead on Civil and Structural Engineering services in delivering the programme’s initial phase.
It comes after the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage (DHLGH), acknowledging the merits of Limerick’s new approach, included a specific commitment supporting a pathfinder of the SMART Housing Programme in the recently published National Housing Plan, 'Delivering Homes, Building Communities 2025–2030'. This pathfinder includes the delivery of up to 150 homes.
A formal funding submission is to issue in early 2026 from Limerick City and County Council to the DHLGH to secure overall capital funding for this pathfinder, including its design team fees.
In order to continue to drive forward other sites more quickly, design team fees for the remainder of the sites outside of the Pathfinder will be funded from the discretionary Mayoral Fund, with capital delivery of the pathfinder of approximately 150 homes to be funded by the DHLGH.
Mayor of Limerick, John Moran, commented:
“Housing is the central promise of the More for Limerick Mayoral Programme, with the housing crisis being especially acute here in Limerick. This solution is targeted to those in need of affordable rental homes for whom the private rental market is not working. With the approval of the Department of our plans now in place, we are driving forward, following the successful display of two cutting-edge prototypes at Arthur’s Quay Park over the last number of months. We know Limerick can be the pilot city in delivering homes faster and more sustainably but there is no time to lose.”
The SMART Housing model is designed to:
- Target unmet demand: Prioritising 1–2 person households, helping provide residents of Limerick with a home to rent.
- Deliver affordability: With rents significantly below current market rates.
- Maximise land use: Initially deployable on council-owned, zoned sites near employment, education, and transport hubs but with the potential to be developed in partnership with major employers in Limerick.
- Support economic growth: Helping employers attract and retain talent by providing stable, affordable housing options.