Taoiseach welcomes tenants to our new Development in Dublin - Oaklee Housing

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Taoiseach welcomes tenants to our new Development in Dublin - Oaklee Housing
Spring 2019
                                                                        The Newsletter for
                                                                        Oaklee Housing
                                                                        Tenants

Taoiseach
welcomes
tenants
to our new
Development
in Dublin

            Target
            100%

How we’re performing   New homes for Kilkenny   Halloween                  Energy Advice
Page 4                 Page 6                   Page 17                    Pages 3 / 13 / 16

                                                            Taoiseach’s Visit            Page 5
                                                            Delivering New Homes         Page 12
oaklee.ie                                                   Colouring In Competition     Page 20
01 400 2650
Taoiseach welcomes tenants to our new Development in Dublin - Oaklee Housing
A message                                                                                                                  How to
from our Chief                                                                                                             Save
Executive Officer                                                                                                          Energy
Sharon Cosgrove

Welcome to the latest edition of        which was opened by the               can get involved, how to avail
                                                                                                                   Some of
Oaklee News which I hope you
will find interesting and helpful.
                                        Taoiseach Leo Varadkar and
                                        the Minister for State Damien
                                                                              of the community grants and a
                                                                              children’s colouring competition.
                                                                                                                   our top tips!
                                        English TD. Some of the families
In this edition I am delighted to       who recently moved in met the         On behalf of the all the staff and   •     Use low energy lightbulbs.
welcome quite a few new tenants         Taoiseach and Minister. We have       Board of Oaklee Housing, I would     •     Close curtains at dusk to keep heat in.
to Oaklee Housing who have              many more housing schemes             like to wish you all the very best
moved into their homes over the         under construction, completing        well for 2019.                       •     Turn off unnecessary lighting.
last 6 months.                          over the next few months.                                                  •     Only open windows when needed
                                                                                                                         for ventilation.
I hope you are settling well into       In this edition we have practical                                          •     Familiarise yourself with how to use
your homes and communities.             articles on fire safety, gas safety
                                                                                                                         any heating controls.
Our Housing Officers are there to       and how to save energy – all very          Working
help, so if you have any queries,       useful to keep you safe in your            together                        •     Only boil the water you need in your kettle.
please do give the service centre       home and to help reduce utility            for positive                    •     Consider purchasing energy
a call.                                 bills. As we go into the coldest                                                 efficient appliances.
                                        time of the year.                          change.
                                                                                                                   •     Avoid blocking your radiators.
We are proud to announce the
opening of our newest housing           As always we update you on                                                 •     Switch off appliances that are
scheme, Stormanstown House,             the Tenants’ Forum, on how you                                                   on standby.
                                                                                                                   •     Use your washing machine wisely.

                                                                                                                   For more information please contact the
                                                                                                                   Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland
  We welcome your input                                                                                            (SEAI) on 1850 376 666 or visit:
                                                                                                                   www.seai.ie
  This is the Oaklee Housing newsletter, Oaklee News, which we will
  be sending to you twice a year. We hope to provide you with a               GET IN TOUCH
  range of interesting and enjoyable articles that provide important          Oaklee Housing,
  information, reports on staff and residents, offer hints and tips about     132 James’s Street,
  lifestyle and include the occasional competition and quiz.                  Dublin
                                                                              DO8 PK25
  Please let us know what you think of this initiative and how you feel
  your newsletter can be improved further. We welcome letters, recipes,       T: 01 400 2650                           T: 01 400 2650
  photos or other contributions from you to make these publications           E: enquiries@oakleehousing.ie            oaklee.ie
  feel closer to you.                                                         www.oaklee.ie

Page 2                                                                                                 oaklee.ie
Taoiseach welcomes tenants to our new Development in Dublin - Oaklee Housing
How we’re performing                                                                                                     Taoiseach welcomes tenants to Oaklee
Oaklee Housing are at the forefront in the provision of social housing and                                               Housing’s newest Development in Dublin
are committed to delivering quality housing and excellent customer
services that enhance the lives of customers and communities.                                                            The Taoiseach, Leo Varadkar,
                                                                                                                         Minister of State for Housing and
It is important that your voice, in relation to our services, is heard as                It is important
the feedback that we receive is vital for Oaklee Housing to identify and correct
                                                                                      It is important
                                                                                         that
                                                                                      that your your  voice,
                                                                                                   voice,
                                                                                                                         Urban Development, Damien English
any problems within our service delivery and to ensure that we meet                   in relation toto
                                                                                         in  relation     our
                                                                                                        our              and Noel Rock TD, today visited
                                                                                         services,   is heard.
the needs of all our customers.                                                       services, is heard.
                                                                                                                         Oaklee Housing’s newest €11 million
Customer Enquiries                                                                                                       development Stormanstown
                                                                                                                         House, Dublin.
                             Target                                 Target                                   Target      Nearly all tenants of the development
                              85%                                    85%                                       14        have now moved into their homes.

           75.5%                                   86%                                    11.5                           The €11 million housing scheme completed in
                                                                                                                         early October is funded through a combination
                                                                                                                         of partners including government, Dublin City
                                                                                                                         Council and Oaklee Housing.

   of enquiries resolved at                  of customers satisfaction             average working days                  Oaklee Housing entered into a contract with a
     first point of contact                  rating of Oaklee Housing              to respond to stage 1                 developer to buy the site, which facilitated the
                                                  Services Centre                       complaints                       recommencement of construction of the site.
                                                                                                                         This partially completed development lay derelict
                                                                                                                         for almost a decade and was an eyesore for local
Customer Services                                Gas Safety                          Human Resources                     neighbours. Given the requirement for social
                                                                                                                         housing in the area Oaklee Housing were
                                                                                                                         delighted to acquire the completed units              Sharon Cosgrove said:
                             Target                              Target                                     Target       within a top quality scheme.
                              95%                                100%                                        3%                                                                This site lay derelict for almost a
                                                                                                                         The Taoiseach and the Minister received a tour        decade and was an eyesore for local
           96.7%                                                                                                         of the new development by Oaklee Housing staff        neighbours. It was in need of re-
                                                                                                                         and got the chance to meet some of the new
                                                   98.29%                                  2.39%                         tenants and hear how their new home will have         development, particularly given the
                                                of gas boilers were                     overall sickness                 a positive impact on their lives.                     requirement for social housing in the
   Call Advisor Call Quality                   serviced within a year                 absence in the year                                                                      area. We were pleased to be able to
                                                                                                                         It is great to see the development finally handed
                                                                                                                         over to many new families who will make it their      acquire the site and develop a top
Repairs                                                                                                                  home, just in time for Christmas.                     quality scheme, which will provide
                                                                                                                                                                               much needed social housing for
                                                                                                                         We were also pleased to welcome the Taoiseach
                                                                                                                                                                               families in need.
                                                           Target                                                        and Minister to Stormanstown to see the
                   Target                                                                            Target
                                                            92%                                                          development first-hand.
                    93%                                                                               92%

                                                                                                                         Taoiseach, Leo Varadkar said:
         94.8%                                   94.9%                                     91.1%                         With a mix of one, two, three and four bedroom apartments, 42 units in total, this much-
     Emergency repairs                         Urgent repairs                          Routine repairs                   needed development caters for a range of families and their individual needs in the
      completed within                        completed within                        completed within                   Ballymun and surrounding area. Tenants, who had been on the social housing waiting list,
         24 Hours                              4 working days                         20 working days                    moving into their new homes.
The performance figures are for the period April 2018 - October 2018

Page 4                                                                                                       oaklee.ie   Page 5                                                                                 oaklee.ie
Taoiseach welcomes tenants to our new Development in Dublin - Oaklee Housing
New Homes for Kilkenny
 Work has begun on          More than €6 million will be
                            invested into the development by
                                                                The Walkin Street development
                                                                will also include a community
                                                                                                         Sharon Cosgrove, Chief Executive Officer of Oaklee Housing said:

 an Oaklee Housing          Oaklee Housing, with finance from   centre which will enable the local
 development that           the Housing Finance Agency and      neighbourhood to meet for social         “There are many demands for housing                                Putting
 will provide 27 new
                            the Local Government’s Capital
                            Advance Lasing Facility (CALF).
                                                                events, education classes, or
                                                                recreational activities.                 in today’s society and it is important                             Customers
 homes for families
                            The homes are designed to meet a    Ormonde Construction was
                                                                                                         that we get more homes underway. We                                at the Heart
 on the housing             range of tenancy needs including    appointed as the main contractor
                                                                                                         are working in close partnership with a                            of Everything
 waiting list in            those of families and individuals   and with a build period of 15
                                                                                                                                                                            We Do!
 Kilkenny.
                            with limited mobility.              months, the homes will be ready          range of local authorities, government
                                                                in early 2020.
                                                                                                         agencies and developers to accelerate                              Oaklee Housing would like tenants
                                                                                                                                                                            to have a voice in influencing
                                                                                                         the delivery of social and affordable                              our decisions. We are passionate
                                                                                                                                                                            for our tenants to gain skills and
                                                                                                         homes for a range of needs. We believe                             knowledge which can be used to
                                                                                                                                                                            affect change and improve the
                                                                                                         a collaborative approach can enable us                             delivery of housing services.

                                                                                                         to provide an effective response to the                            The overarching aim of the Oaklee
                                                                                                                                                                            Tenant Engagement Programme is
                                                                                                         Rebuilding Ireland agenda.”                                        to have a clear approach to tenant
                                                                                                                                                                            involvement which is inclusive of
                                                                                                                                                                            residents from all communities.

                                                                                                                                                                            We understand not everyone wants
                                                                                                                                                                            the same level of involvement so
                                                                                                                                                                            aim to have informal and formal
                                                                                                                                                                            involvement opportunities for
                                                                                                                                                                            tenants to choose from with many
                                                                                                                                                                            activities that can be completed
                                                                                                                                                                            from the comfort of your own
                                                                                                                                                                            home. Whether it’s taking a back
                                                                                                                                                                            seat role or centre stage we will
                                                                                                                                                                            give you the support and training
                                                                                                                                                                            you need!
           More than
                                                                                                                                                                            If you would like to get
         €6 million                                                                                               27                                                        involved in the Tenants’
                                                                                                             new homes                                                      Forum, you can contact
         will be invested
                                                                                                             for families                                                   our dedicated Tenant
            by Oaklee
                                                                                                                                                                            Involvement Team on
             Housing                                                                                                                                                        01 400 2650.

Page 6                                                                                      oaklee.ie   Page 7                                                                                         oaklee.ie
Taoiseach welcomes tenants to our new Development in Dublin - Oaklee Housing
Fire Safety at Home
 Whilst Oaklee Housing is committed to ensuring our homes are managed
 to the highest standards, fire safety is a shared responsibility. We have set
 out some useful fire safety advice below:
 Fire may cause serious injuries and extensive damage to property and possessions. By following
 a few simple steps and maintaining a basic level of awareness you can considerably reduce the
 chances of fire in your home.

 Your home is already equipped with smoke alarms which you should test weekly. Never remove your
 batteries, disconnect or cover your smoke alarm. Where alarms are connected to a communal build-
 ing fire alarm system they will be tested by Oaklee Housing staff and contractors.

 •   Use the heating system provided. Do not use       •   Make sure cigarettes are stubbed out                        somewhere else in the building, you’re          •   You should not use a lift if a fire happens
     additional heaters that have flames (gas and          properly and are disposed of carefully, and                 usually safest staying in your apartments
                                                                                                                                                                       •   If you cannot escape because of smoke in
     paraffin) or electric bar heaters.                    never smoke in bed.                                         unless you’re affected by heat or smoke.
                                                                                                                                                                           the corridors, you will need to stay in your
 •   Do not store things in gas or electric meter      •   Get into the habit of closing doors at night.           •   If you live in an apartment you should              apartment, near a window, where you can
     cupboards.                                            If you want to keep a child’s bedroom door                  plan how to escape if there is a fire in your       wait for assistance. Call 999 or 112 and tell
 •   Always treat an alarm as a real fire – it might       open, close the doors to the lounge and                     home or your block. It is likely that an            the fire service operator which apartment
     be someone burning toast, but it might not.           kitchen; it might help to save their life if                apartment will share common areas with              you are in. The operator will tell the fire
                                                           there is a fire.                                            other apartments, such as corridors and             fighters to come and assist you or let you
 •   Make a fire action plan so that everyone in                                                                       stairways. The owner of the building will           know that your apartment is not in danger.
     your home knows how to get out if there is a      •   Regularly clean the filters in tumble dryers
                                                           and kitchen extractor hoods.                                have the responsibility of making sure that         This is particularly important if you have
     fire.                                                                                                             the necessary fire safety measures needed in        difficulty moving around or using the stairs.
 •   Keep the exits from your home clear so that       •   Keep matches and lighters where children                    these areas are installed.
     you can escape if there is a fire.                    can’t see or reach them.
                                                                                                                   For example, there may be a communal fire               Tell your Housing Officer or let the Fire
 •   Make sure that everyone in your home can          •   Take special care when you’re tired or have             alarm, fire doors and other fire safety features        Service know that you would be unable to
     easily find the keys for doors and windows.           taken alcohol.                                          of the common areas which will need to be               evacuate if there was a fire in your building.
                                                       •   Don’t overload electrical sockets. Remember,            regularly maintained. Never interfere with fire
 •   Take extra care in the kitchen – accidents                                                                                                                        •   The consequences of a fire can be
                                                           one plug for one socket.                                detection equipment or fire safety measures
     while cooking account for over half of fires in                                                                                                                       devastating, even if it doesn’t result in the
                                                                                                                   such as fire doors and never leave rubbish,
     homes. Never leave young children alone in        •   Don’t leave the TV or other electrical                                                                          loss of life or injury. While Oaklee Housing
                                                                                                                   unwanted furniture etc in the communal
     the kitchen.                                          appliances on standby. Always switch them                                                                       will repair or replace damaged fixtures and
                                                                                                                   areas. If you come across materials that have
                                                           off and unplug them when not in use.                                                                            fittings, we will not replace your personal
 •   Take extra care if cooking with hot oil and                                                                   been left, they may present a risk to you and
                                                                                                                                                                           items.
     never throw water onto or try to move very        •   If you or a member of your household has                your family. Please contact us immediately.
     hot or burning oil. Consider buying a deep-           any difficulty seeing, hearing or moving                                                                    •   You are therefore strongly advised to take
     fat fryer which is controlled by a thermostat         about your home, you will need to take extra                                                                    out home contents insurance to cover your
     (if you don’t already have one).                      care to deal with the risk of a fire.                   •   It is important to understand the fire safety       personal affects in the event of fire.
                                                                                                                       measures built into the common areas;
 •   Never leave lit candles in unoccupied rooms       •   Apartments are built to be fire-resisting and
                                                                                                                       contact Oaklee Housing if you want us to
     or in rooms where children are on their own.          should contain fires until the Fire Brigade
                                                                                                                       explain the safety plans for the premises and
 •   Make sure candles are in secure holders on a          arrive provided doors are kept shut.
                                                                                                                       make sure that you are familiar with what
     surface that doesn’t burn and are away from       •   Walls, ceilings and doors will hold back                    you should do if a fire happens.
     any materials that could burn.                        flames and smoke, so if there’s a fire

Page 8                                                                                                oaklee.ie   Page 9                                                                                            oaklee.ie
Taoiseach welcomes tenants to our new Development in Dublin - Oaklee Housing
Your guide to gas safety
Lots of homes use on gas for heating, hot water and
cooking. Whilst well maintained gas equipment is
generally very safe, faulty gas boilers, fires and cookers
can be deadly. Appliances which are not regularly
serviced by Oaklee Housing can cause gas leaks,
fires, explosions and carbon monoxide poisoning.
Safety checks                                         let the engineer in. Gas checks save lives. By law,
Oaklee Housing is fully committed to ensuring         we have to do them. If you repeatedly refuse to let
your safety within your home and that all gas         us in, we may have to take legal action. We will
appliances are maintained in a safe condition.        also seek to recover any additional costs incurred.     What will the engineer check?
By law, we have to check all gas appliances in
your home every year, to make sure that they are      No Access Procedure:
                                                                                                              The engineer will check and service all the gas
                                                                                                              appliances that Oaklee Housing owns, such as           Gas safety: top tips
safe. A gas engineer needs to visit your home to                                                              gas boilers and appliances. They will also check
                                                                                                                                                                     •   Always follow the appliance
carry out this free safety check and service.         It is vital that you provide access to allow            the gas supply pipes and complete a visual                 manufacturer’s operating instructions
                                                      Oaklee Housing to check and service your gas            check of gas appliances that you own, such as gas          for your gas appliances
How do I know when my gas service is due?             boiler. If you do not contact us and our engineers      cookers. They will not complete a service of
The safety check and service is carried out           are unable to gain access to your property,             your appliances as they are your responsibility.       •   Ensure you give access to Oaklee Housing
annually. Our gas engineers will contact you          Oaklee Housing will enter into our No Access                                                                       Registered Gas Installer engineer to
                                                      Procedure, which could result in your gas supply                                                                   check the appliances in your home
approximately 12 weeks before your service                                                                    The engineer will also be able to answer any gas
                                                                                                                                                                         annually as requested
certificate expires to arrange an appointment for     being shut off; your tenancy may also be at risk        questions that you have. They can show you how
the safety check and service to be completed.         and we may commence legal proceedings to                to use the heating and hot water system, and can       •   Make sure you know where and how to
                                                      ensure access is given. Our number one priority is      also give advice about saving energy.                      turn off your gas supply
We start the process at this point to ensure that     to ensure you are safe in your home.
the service is completed before the current                                                                   What if an appliance is faulty?                        •   You must request permission from Oaklee
                                                      What should I do if I will not be at home for           The engineer will fix faults straight away if they         Housing to install a gas appliance
certificate expires. The next service will be due
no more than 12 months following this service.        the appointment for the Gas Safety Check?               can. If they can’t, they will arrange follow-up        •   If you think an appliance might be
                                                      Our engineers will endeavour to arrange the service     repairs. They will disconnect appliances that are          faulty, turn it off and call Oaklee Housing
How long does the safety check take?                  to suit you, however, your new appointment              unsafe where they are unable to repair                     immediately to report it
The check takes about 40 minutes. Once the            must take place within 7days from the original          immediately. We will fix the problem as soon as
safety check and service is completed the             appointment date. If you need to change the             possible, for free.                                    •   Test your carbon monoxide detector
                                                      appointment please contact the gas contractor                                                                      regularly and report any faults to Oaklee
contractor will provide you with a Gas Safety                                                                                                                            Housing immediately
Certificate, please keep this in a safe place         directly - their contact details will be                Benefits of Servicing your Boiler
for your records.                                     noted on the appointment card you have been             In addition to the obvious safety benefits of boiler
                                                      sent, alternatively contact Oaklee Services             servicing, a well maintained boiler will also
Who does the check?
A qualified Registered Gas Installer (RGI) engineer
                                                      Centre immediately on 01 400 2650 or by e-mail
                                                      to repairs@oakleehousing.ie. If you
                                                                                                              ensure the boiler is operating efficiently, thereby
                                                                                                              reducing your fuel costs.                              Important:
will do the check. Please ask to see their identity   do not contact us and our contractors are unable                                                               If you smell gas, or think that there may be
                                                      to gain access, Oaklee Housing will enter into                                                                 a gas leak: call the 24 hour Gas Emergency
card before you let them in.                                                                                  Never reconnect an appliance that                      Service immediately on:
                                                      our no access procedure, which could result in
Do I have to let the engineer in?                     your gas supply being shut off and your                 has been disconnected for safety
                                                                                                              reasons as this is dangerous.
Yes. Your tenancy agreement says that you must        tenancy may also be at risk.
                                                                                                                                                                     T: 1850 20 50 50
Page 10                                                                                           oaklee.ie   Page 11                                                                                        oaklee.ie
Taoiseach welcomes tenants to our new Development in Dublin - Oaklee Housing
Delivering                                                   If you’re interested in any of these
                                                             homes: call T: 01 400 2650                                        Ensure
                                                                                                                               your
New Homes
                                                             or visit oaklee.ie

                                                                                                                               benefits
                                                                                                                               are
                         Greenville,
                        Enniscorthy
                                                                 The Galleries,
                                                                  Donabate
                                                                                  Mortgage                                     correct
                                                                                  to Rent
                                                                                  Oaklee Housing have recently
                                                                                  completed an additional 18 units
                                                                                  under the Mortgage to Rent
                                                                                  (MTR) program. Through the MTR
                                                                                  program, Oaklee Housing works

Greenville, Enniscorthy,               The Galleries,                             to assist families and individuals
                                                                                  who have unsustainable
Co. Wexford                            Donabate                                   mortgages and who are eligible          Oaklee Housing
                                       Located in North Dublin, The               for social housing. Oaklee Housing
Phase one of Greenville is due
to complete late 2018 with
                                       Galleries Donabate is an apartment         acquires the properties and leases      would advise all of our
                                       complex of 43 spacious units ranging       them to their former owners as
the delivery of 11 units in a
combination of 3 bedroom semi-
                                       from one to three bed dwellings.           social housing. This reduces the        customers to check to
                                       The units are spread between two           stress of unsustainable debt for
detached houses and 2 bedroom
duplexes and is being developed
                                       separate blocks creating its own           the MTR client and also reduces         ensure their benefits or
                                       courtyard of open space for the            the number of people made
as a turnkey development . Once
completed Greenville will have
                                       tenants living in the development.         homeless through repossessions.         entitlements are correct,
                                       The scheme is due for completion           In the process any remedial works
over 46 much needed homes
to help house families who are
                                       early 2019.                                required to the properties are          with further information
                                                                                  addressed to bring them up to a
currently on the housing list.
                                                                                  social housing lettable standard.       available from
                                                                 Stormanstown
                                                                 Hall, Ballymun                                           www.welfare.ie
                                                                                  Walkinslough Court,                     Visit oaklee.ie or follow us on
                    Hampton                                                       Kilkenny
                     Woods,                                                                                               Facebook and Twitter         for
                     Dublin                                                       Walkinslough Court is a
                                                                                                                          daily updates.
                                                                                  development of 27 units comprising
                                                                                  a mix of 1, 2 and 3 bedroom
                                                                                  apartments with the ground floor
                                       Stormanstown Hall,                         units being design with tenants with
                                       Ballymun                                   disabilities in mind. Located on the
Hampton Woods,                                                                    former site of the Lighthouse public
                                       Oaklee Housing are proud to have
Dublin                                 recently completed the purchase            house, convenient to Kilkenny city
We recently acquired eight             of 42 new homes in Ballymun.               centre it had been lying derelict
2 bed 2 bath duplexes on               The development consists of 11             for some time before Oaklee
Hampton Woods Road, Dublin 11.         townhouses and 31 apartments in            Housing purchased it. Construction
The acquired units will be given an    a mixture of one to three bed units.       commenced in September 2018 and
                                                                                                                          T: 01 400 2650
extensive refurbishment and will       Allocations have already been              is due to be completed in early 2019.
                                                                                                                          oaklee.ie
be delivered by end of 2018.           completed and tenants have now
                                       moved in.

Page 12                                                                                                   oaklee.ie
Taoiseach welcomes tenants to our new Development in Dublin - Oaklee Housing
MENU OF TENANT                                                                                                 IF YOU WOULD
INVOLVEMENT –                                                                                                  LIKE TO GET
Together we will                                                                                               INVOLVED
achieve more                                                                                                   WITH Oaklee
                                                                                                               Housing
                                                                                                               simply fill out the form below

Get involved?                                                                                                  Menu of Tenant Involvement
Being involved with Oaklee Housing will give you
                                                                                                                    Resident Groups – Represent your community                 Estate Walkabouts – Walk around your estate
the chance to:
                                                                                                                    on a wide range of issues by being part of a               with your Housing and Property Services Officer
                                                                                                                    Resident Group in your area.                               to identify areas of concern and agree priorities
                                                                                                                    [Meets as and when required – 2.5 hours per meeting]       for the local community.
                                                                                                                                                                               [Meets annually – 2 hours per meeting]
     1            2             3             4                                                                     Tenant Champion – Where no formal Tenant
                                                                                                                    Association exists become a Tenant Champion                Mystery Shoppers – Test services and provide
                              Give                                                                                  to represent your local community, working                 feedback as a mystery shopper by carrying out
  Be active      Make        Oaklee    Be part of
 in shaping    your area    Housing    a group to   How do I get involved?                                          beside Oaklee housing staff to address any                 a series of pre-agreed tasks, such as telephone
                                                    You can choose how to get involved and when by                  issues in your area.                                       calls or reception visits, and report on findings.
   Oaklee       a better   your views review and
 Housing’s      place to     on the     improve     selecting the type and level of involvement that                [1 hour per week]                                          Training will be provided.
                                                    suits your lifestyle.                                                                                                      [Meets quarterly over set days]
  services       live in    services    services                                                                    Tenants’ Forum Group – We currently have
                           you receive                                                                              one Forum which meets to discuss housing                   Tenant Satisfaction Survey – Assist with the
                                                    Oaklee Housing would be delighted to                            related issues and sharing best practice ideas.            development of a Tenant Satisfaction Survey to
                                                    hear from you                                                   [Meets every 10 weeks – 2.5 hours per meeting]             help us identify our strengths and weaknesses.
                                                    Please complete the Menu of Involvement in this                                                                            [Meets with staff and Consultant as required before and
                                                    newsletter and return to Oaklee Housing or hand                 Editorial Team – Write and review articles for             after the survey issue.]
                                                    it to a member of Oaklee Housing staff. Telephone               our Tenant Newsletter and website and report               Register of Tenants – Respond to surveys or
                                                    01 400 2650 and ask for the Tenant Involvement                  on the work of the Tenants’ Forum.
     5            6             7             8     Team.                                                           [Meets quarterly – 2 hours per meeting]
                                                                                                                                                                               comment on specific service areas which you
                                                                                                                                                                               are interested in. We can contact you by text,
    Help                                                                                                                                                                       post, email or telephone call.
   Oaklee                                           Oaklee Housing believes that it is essential to consider                                                                   [As and when required – time commitment can be
  Housing         Gain       Receive        Meet    the views of our tenants with regard to the services                                                                       as little as 20 minutes]
   better        useful      relevant       new     and housing we provide. We are committed to putting
understand       skills      training      people   our customers at the heart of service delivery and
 the needs                                          we believe that by listening to and taking on board        Your Details
 of tenants
                                                    your views, we can ensure that policies and services
                                                    are more responsive to changing needs and rising            Name                                                        Telephone
                                                    aspirations.
                                                                                                                Address                                                    Please complete and return to:
                                                    We recognise that it is important to offer a range of
                                                                                                                                                                           Oaklee Housing,
                                                    involvement methods which are fit for purpose and
                                                                                                                                                                           132 James’s Street,
                                                    appropriate to the needs of our tenants, providing
                                                                                                                                                                           FREEPOST, Dublin 8
                                                    the opportunity for you to get involved with us on
                                                    whatever level best suits your lifestyle. If you are
                                                    interested in working with Oaklee Housing staff to
                                                    improve our services, please indicate which option
                                                    would be most appropriate for you and return the
                                                    completed form.

Page 14                                                                                            oaklee.ie   Page 15                                                                                                    oaklee.ie
Taoiseach welcomes tenants to our new Development in Dublin - Oaklee Housing
Spooky fun
         Reduce                                                 this October
         Energy                                                 at Rowantree
                                                                Court.
         Costs

                                                                                                                                  Halloween R
                                                                                                                                              affle Food H
                                                                                                                                  Prize Winne             am
                                                                                                                                             r – Lena Clerk per
                                                                                                                                                           in.

If you have your own electricity or
gas meter then you may be able to
save money by:
•    Requesting a change of meter type
     so you either receive bills or pre-pay
     using a card.
                                                                                                                               r
•    Paying in an alternative way e.g. by
                                                                                                   lloween Raffle Draw Party fo
                                                                                                 Ha
     bill, direct debit or a standing order.                                                                   rt Tenants.
                                                                                                 Rowantree Cou
•    Alternative billing options such as
     paperless or online billing.
•    One of the easiest ways to save money
     is to consider switching suppliers.
                                                           Different ways to pay your rent
     Comparison websites can assist with
                                                           There are a number of methods which are available to
     comparing energy providers, such as
                                                           pay your rent including;
     www.bonkers.ie and www.switcher.ie                                                                                                  Changes in
                                                               Payment Card                   Standing Order                             Circumstances
                                                               The payment card can be        A standing order can be set up
                                                                                                                                         If your rent is calculated on the
                                                               used at any PostPoint outlet   to pay rent via your bank or you
                                                               in Ireland displaying one of                                              basis of your income you must
Visit oaklee.ie or follow us on                                                               can use your internet online
                                                               the PostPoint signs below or                                              advise Oaklee Housing of any
                                                                                              banking facility. Further details
Facebook and Twitter            for                            it can be used at any Post     are available from Oaklee                  changes in your circumstances as
                                                               Office.                        Services Centre.                           soon as they occur, including;
daily updates.
                                                               Household Budget                                                          • changes to household income
                                                                                              mybills.ie
                                                               Rent can be deducted from      mybills.ie is a free service from            ( including additional income
                                                               Welfare Benefits via the       An Post providing a ‘one-stop-               from training schemes or
                                                               Household Budget Scheme,       shop’ for paying bills online                increases in welfare benefits)
                                                               administered by An Post.       including your weekly rental               • if anyone moves in or out of
                                                               A deduction form can be        payment. Tenant’s can also set               your property
T: 01 400 2650
                                                               downloaded from www.           up payments to pay a regular
oaklee.ie                                                                                                                                • if additional children join
                                                               anpost.ie or ring Customer     amount automatically.
                                                               Services on 1800 707172 or                                                  the household.
                                                               contact our services centre.   Cheques or postal orders or
                                                                                              cash payments in our Head
                                                                                              Office.

    Page 16                                    oaklee.ie   Page 17                                                                                                oaklee.ie
Taoiseach welcomes tenants to our new Development in Dublin - Oaklee Housing
If you are interested in setting up a group in your

Community                                                                                                                                                      development and you have a project in mind.

grants
                                                                                                                                                               Please contact Oaklee Housing for information
                                                                                                                                                               and an application form:
                                                                                                                                                               Oaklee Housing, 132 James’s Street, Dublin 8
                                                                                Scheme                                                                         T: 01 400 2650
                                                                                                                                                               E: enquiries@oakleehousing.ie

                                                                                                                                                                            Application for Start Up Project Funding Conditions
What is the Community Grant? The Oaklee Housing                                                                                                                             1. Any amount awarded must be used solely for the purpose

community grant is available to fund projects that                                                                                                                          outlined in the application. The amount awarded will be final
                                                                                                                                                                            and will not be increased in the event of any overspend.

involve people in their developments.                                                                          Groups who have availed
                                                                                                                                                                            2. If you do not spend the whole amount, any unspent funds
                                                                                                                                                                            should be returned to Oaklee Housing Association.

Oaklee Housing believes that by supporting communities and residents groups, they will be capable of           of Community Grants                                          3. For audit purposes, expenditure receipts, balances and details
                                                                                                                                                                            of planned expenditure must be provided on request.
delivering creative solutions to community issues and will enhance the place where they live, particularly                                                                  4. The Association will not be responsible for any expenditure
when they work together. Examples of projects include; environmental projects, social events, kids clubs       Hawthorn Court Residents’ Association                        on your project prior to you receiving your letter confirming
                                                                                                               Hawthorn Court Residents’ Association have received          any awards given.
and community arts projects.
                                                                                                               on going grant funding for gardening projects within         5. Once funding has been given there is no on-going commitment
                                                                                                               their development for a number of years. The funding         from the Association to issue further funds for a project. We will
The projects which we will support demonstrate strengthening communities and deliver direct benefit                                                                         consider subsequent funding bids, but this is not guaranteed.
                                                                                                               has allowed them to purchase a poly tunnel, green
to our tenants, their families and communities, which will help contribute to our vision that together         house and equipment which allow the keen gardeners
                                                                                                                                                                            6. You agree to acknowledge support in all subsequent positive
we enrich lives.                                                                                                                                                            publicity relating to the project. You will contact the Association
                                                                                                               in the scheme to grow flowers and vegetables from seed.      to check that they wish to be included in such publicity, before
                                                                                                               The project has given tenants, their friends and family      publicity goes out.
A formal residents group does not need to be set up initially to avail of a grant but a Residents Group        the opportunity to socialise and enhance community           7. Oaklee Housing reserves the right to inform media
will need to be established for ongoing funding.                                                               spirit and chat about something really positive. This        organisations of support given to your group.
                                                                                                               community spirit has benefited tenants by reducing           8. Oaklee Housing reserves the right to refuse to provide an
Applications for projects can be made throughout the year.                                                     social isolation and has improved the environment            explanation when a funding application has been refused.

                                                                                                               greatly for the tenants some of whom are unable to get       9. Oaklee Housing will withhold payment/part payment if:
There are two types of Community Grant:                                                                        out and about.                                               •    It becomes apparent that the application form contained
                                                                                                                                                                                 incorrect information.

              Residents’                                          Residents’ Group                             Rowantree Court Gardening Group

    1                                                   2
                                                                                                                                                                            •    If your group/organisation ceases to exist, the project closes
                                                                                                                                                                                 or the purpose of your organisation changes in any way that
                                                                                                               Rowantree Court Gardening Group have recently received            is not in line with the grant given.

              Group Start                                         Ongoing Project                              start up grant funding to purchase paint to refurbish
                                                                                                               garden furniture and sheds. Additional equipment and
                                                                                                                                                                            •    If you do not return financial or monitoring information
                                                                                                                                                                                 when requested.

              Up Grant                                            Funding                                      plants to brighten up the patio area in the scheme have
                                                                                                               also been funded through the grant. The project has
                                                                                                                                                                            10. You agree to allow Oaklee Housing representatives to visit
                                                                                                                                                                            your project and talk to participants.
                                                                                                               brought tenants from different backgrounds together
                                                                                                               and has created a great community spirit.
 A start up grant up to a maximum of                     An annual grant up to a maximum of €500.00
 €150.00 per group will be made available                per group will be made available to help fund
 to help fund the start up of projects and               ongoing projects.
  the formation of a Residents’ Group.                                                                            How to apply…                            •   Details of the tenants’ group
                                                         To avail of ongoing project grant funding,
 A group of tenants with a creative idea                 a formal Residents’ Group should be in                   An application form should               •   Details of the proposed project to be funded
                                                                                                                  be completed and returned                •   Proposed costings for the project
 can apply for funding. The group will                   place. The group should have the following; a            to Oaklee Housing,
 have to demonstrate an ability to deliver               constitution, group structure and confirmation           132 James’s Street, Dublin,              •   Evidence that all relevant tenants / communities
 the proposed project which they wish to                 that an AGM has been held, copies of financial           DO8 PK25.                                    have been consulted and invited to take part
 have funded.                                            accounts and bank statements to show how
                                                         the grant has been spent and evaluation of               The application should include
                                                                                                                                                           •   Details of how the group intends to monitor and
                                                                                                                                                               evaluate the success of the project
                                                         the success of projects.                                 the following information:

Page 18                                                                                            oaklee.ie   Page 19                                                                                                              oaklee.ie
Colouring            It’s really easy to enter, just pull out this page and colour it
                     in anyway you like! Then pop it in the post along with you
                     name, age, address and telephone number in the reply slip

Competition          below to The Editor, Oaklee Housing (News), 132 James’s Street,
                     Dublin,
                     DO8 PK25. One lucky winner will receive this great prize!
                     Entries must be received by 16.03.19.

                     (Please note that the parent must be a tenant of Oaklee Housing).

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                                                                   c              rin g

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                                                                          colou

                                                                        a fa
                                                                    Win ss to
                                                                       pa Zoo
                                                                     Dublin

Name                           Age

Address

Daytime Telephone   Evening Telephone

                                                POST TO:
                                                The Editor
                                                Oaklee Housing (News)
                                                132 James’s Street
                                                Dublin, DO8 PK25
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