Anam Croí Housing

Description

The housing at Anam Croí is social housing built to satisfy the overwhelming need for housing for older people in County Galway. The development was CAS funded and the land was donated by a very generous local man who just wished to see somewhere for older people to live and socialise safely. As part of the development, a Day Centre for older people was also built which caters for over up to 75 older people weekly from the Claregalway and surrounding areas. The housing at Anam Croí was first occupied in May 2020 and at that time as everyone remembers, we were right in the middle of COVID and therefore occupying these houses was done very much as a piecemeal operation resulting in everyone moving in over a period of 15 months. As a result, there was no big fanfare opening of this fabulous development. The houses have an A3 BER rating and are finished with room by room climate controlled underfloor heating and an air to water system. The houses themselves are semi-detached bungalows and each house has a small front and back garden giving privacy and space to each tenant. Each house has 2 bedrooms, kitchen, dining, living room and a wet room which is fully equipped with safety rails around the toilet, sink and shower to ensure the safety of the tenants. The open plan layout of the houses ensure they are flooded with natural light and above all else are safe to move around freely. The development promotes independent living and is situated perfectly nestled safely at the back of the Day Centre and just 500m from the local church, shops and post office. Our tenants vary in age from 61 to 88 years old with the average age of 71 years old. Because of its location so close to the Day Centre, some of the tenants attend the Day services on a weekly basis providing them with a warm dinner, a chat and entertainment before returning home in the afternoon just 10m away. Other tenants volunteer in the Day Centre and bring with them a wealth of story telling and kindness. Anam Croí Housing has recently added a polytunnel for residents to enjoy, creating a welcoming space for shared activity, fresh air, and connection. It offers an opportunity to grow vegetables, herbs, and flowers together, encouraging gentle physical activity and healthy living. More than that, it’s a space where residents can chat, share skills, and spend meaningful time together, fostering a real sense of community and wellbeing.

Aim of Initiative

To provide safe, secure housing for older people in the Claregalway area, where they are within walking distance to the local shops, post office and many more amenities. To integrate the people living in the houses into the local community where they have a circle of friends and a support network available to them if needed fostering a sense of community and wellbeing.

Who is it aimed at

Older people over the age of 60 who are on the County Galway social housing listing.

3 Steps critical to success

1. Step 1 was to assemble a team who shared the same vision to support the older people in the area through the establishment of a Day Centre and Housing.
2. Step 2 was to acquire land in order to satisfy the requirements of CAS funding from the government. Our housing is 95% CAS funded.
3. Step 3 secure CAS funding and tender the project for development.

3 Challenges in Planning / Delivery

1. This first challenge was to secure funding in order to develop the housing and once secured, the tender process needed to be conducted. The original team that worked on the housing project were inexperienced in the area of housing and so had to learn the skillset associated with grant applications and tender procurement.
2. This development was finished in 2020 with the first resident moving into the area in May 2020. At that time, Ireland and the world were right in the middle of COVID restrictions and so there was no big fanfare of an opening, the residents moved in little by little over a period of 15months. These houses are for older people and as we all remember, during COVID this cohort of people were classed as most vulnerable and therefore the process of getting them occupied and building a community was difficult
3. As with all CAS funded housing, the challenge will always be with maintenance and upkeep of the houses going forward. CAS funding builds the development but the ongoing upkeep and maintenance of the development is down to Anam Croí housing. Rent in CAS funded housing is based on ‘economic’ rent and is set well below the average rent price.

3 Outcomes / Benefits

1. A development of 14 houses that will provide safe and secure homes for older people for many years
2. A sociable community that is thriving and integrating into the local area
3. Though the development of the Anam Croí Day Centre alongside the housing, we have a place where older people from the area can socialise