Historic Kildare building is to be used for social housing
It dates back to 1919 and has been vacant for about 20 years
A historic house in Naas town centre is to be converted into social housing.
The Alms House at Dublin Road in Naas is derelict and has been vacant for about 20 years.
About two years ago plans to develop the property into apartments were abandoned.
The Peter McVerry Trust, the national homeless and housing charity, had intended to redevelop it.
The plan was to provide three self contained own door units consisting of one bedroom each, for housing accommodation purposes.
But the trust later advised KCC it is “no longer in a position to carry out this redevelopment.”
KCC subsequently bought it from the Society of St Vincent de Paul.
A Naas Municipal District committee meeting has been told that the legal process to transfer the house to KCC “is at an advanced stage” and is expected to be finalised by September.
KCC added: “It is anticipated that the Alms House will be used for social housing.”
According to the National Inventory of Architectural Heritage, the building, also known as the Widows’ House, is of considerable historical and social importance and the building “attests to the longstanding presence of an almshouse on the site, the earliest of which is dated to 1590.”
It was extensively renovated in the late 20th century to accommodate residential use and “the building remains an attractive feature on the streetscape.”
It dates back to 1919.