JUNIOR Housing Minister Damien English cuts the ribbon on a long-awaited social housing project.

Families on the waiting-list for seven years have been given the keys to their brand new homes.

3 Cúid Housing welcomed 67 families to their brand new homes in Milltown Meadows, Ashbourne, Co. Meath today Credit: FREE IMAGE

A total of 67 families were cleared to move into the buildings at Milltown Meadows in Ashbourne, Co Meath, today.

Minister English welcomed the new ­residents, including seven Syrian families.

The Cluid Housing project, which was in development for 15 months, saw the launch of a brand new estate, easing the need for affordable housing to the area.

The majority of the buildings near Milltown Meadows — where PJ Farrell, below, took to his bike to celebrate — are privately owned homes.

3 PJ Farrell took his bike for a spin in the new area Credit: FREE IMAGE

3 Minister of Housing, Planning & Local Government, Damien English TD (left) and Cluid Housing CEO, Brian O’Gorman Credit: FREE IMAGE

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Speaking ahead of the launch, Minister English said: "The provision of high-quality housing supports to help individuals and families meet their housing need across all tenures is one of the key objectives of Rebuilding Ireland An Action Plan for Housing and Homelessness.

"The delivery of these much needed homes is a tangible example of the importance of partnerships between Approved Housing Bodies, such as Cluid Housing Association, the local authority, in this case Meath County Council, and a developer in ­getting homes built."