Kilhedge Lane, Lusk – Age-Friendly Housing Development

Description

Kilhedge Lane, Lusk, is an innovative sheltered housing scheme being developed by Tuath Housing Association in partnership with Fingal County Council. This project is designed to provide high-quality, age-appropriate housing for older persons. The project exemplifies a well-coordinated effort to address the housing needs of older persons, providing them with a safe, supportive environment that promotes independence and well-being.

The development consists of 31 single-story homes, featuring 18 two-bedroom units and 13 one-bedroom units, alongside a communal facility that encourages social interaction and community building among residents. The project is set on land which was owned by Fingal County Council and transferred to Tuath Housing. The project has been funded by the Department of Housing, Local Government, and Heritage through the Capital Assistance Scheme (CAS).

In September 2018, Tuath procured an Integrated Design Team led by Walsh Associates to assist with the project from design development through to planning and construction. M.L. Quinn Construction were selected as the main contractor and began construction in January 2023. The 31 age-friendly homes and communal facility are scheduled for completion in July 2024.

This development marks Tuath’s continued commitment to working in partnership with local authorities to creating more age-friendly and inclusive environments for older people. As part of its efforts to renew this commitment, in late 2022, members of Tuath’s tenant engagement team underwent training with Age Friendly Ireland to become champions of the Age Friendly Business Recognition programme. Their primary role was to develop a charter of commitments to enhance the living experiences of older residents.

In 2023, the Association received the Age Friendly Business recognition and subsequently conducted an extensive survey, featuring 26 questions covering various aspects of living conditions. Following this, the survey was administered in person by Tuath staff to 213 households across eight pilot schemes between July and August 2023. The lessons and learnings from this journey are currently being implemented in the design, delivery, allocation and future management of the Kilhedge Lane Development.

Tuath Housing has a longstanding relationship with Fingal County Council, having delivered over 635 homes in the county since 2010. This project represents a continuation of their commitment to providing safe, quality housing for older persons, contributing to the overall goal of enabling individuals to live longer, healthier lives within their communities.

Aim of Initiative

The primary aim of the Kilhedge Lane initiative is to provide safe, comfortable, and accessible housing for older persons, allowing them to live independently while benefiting from a supportive community environment. The project will address the problem of isolation and loneliness, and will yield health benefits and social value for residents and the immediate community, providing a social mix and long-term boost to the economy in the wider area.

Tuath will assign a designated Housing Services Co-ordinator who will provide onsite clinics and collaborate with residents to develop relationships with local garda, existing services within the community and support a Tuath Tenant Engagement Officer with Community Engagement Initiatives. A resident’s association will established. This initiative aligns with the broader government ambition of enabling people of all ages to live healthier lives in their own homes and communities.

Who is it aimed at

The initiative is aimed at older persons in need of sheltered housing that supports independent living while offering a sense of community and security. The development is particularly targeted at those who may require additional support due to age-related issues but still wish to maintain a degree of independence.

3 Steps critical to success

1. Step 1: Project Planning and Approval

   • Secure land and funding through collaboration with Fingal County Council and the Department of Housing, Local Government, and Heritage.

   • Design the housing scheme with input from architects (Walsh Associates) to ensure it meets the specific needs of older persons.

   • The development is in compliance with space standards set out in Fingal County Council’s current Development Plan & Quality Housing for Sustainable Community Guidelines.

   • All homes avail of level access wet rooms with accessible showers, four of the dwellings will have full Doc M wheel chair compliant wet rooms.

   • Semi-private, communal open gardens to the rear of the units will promote a feeling of security and sense of community, whilst simultaneously encouraging opportunities for social interaction.

   • The communal gardens will be accessed through individual units, the communal facility and through security gates from the public open space.

2. Step 2: Construction and Development

   • Engage a reputable construction firm (M.L. Quinn Construction) to execute the building of the homes and communal facilities.

   • Monitor construction progress to ensure adherence to timelines and quality standards.

   • Deliver the project on budget and program with the exception of legitimate delay i.e. utility connection delay through third party providers.

3. Step 3: Community Integration and Support

   • In partnership with Fingal County Council, identify and prepare for tenant move-in by coordinating with local support services to provide necessary assistance to residents.

   • Establish the communal facility to foster community interaction and provide a support network for residents.

3 Challenges in Planning / Delivery

1. Challenge 1: Securing Funding and Resources

   • Ensuring sufficient funding for the project was critical. This was achieved through the Capital Assistance Scheme, but required careful planning and coordination with government bodies.

2. Challenge 2: Meeting Construction Timelines

   • Coordinating the construction phases to meet the targeted delivery dates was a significant challenge, necessitating close monitoring and collaboration with the contractor.

3. Challenge 3: Facilitating Community Integration

   • Ensuring that the communal facility effectively fosters a sense of community and support among residents required strategic planning and the establishment of local partnerships.

   • An established community already exists in the area. Concerns about construction activity, health and safety and road hygiene were a concern. Tuath has setup a maintenance contract and delivers fortnightly updates to residents committee.

   • Ensuring that all Tuath staff who will be working within this community have received the latest age-friendly training

3 Outcomes / Benefits

1. Outcome 1: High-Quality Housing for Older Persons

   • Provide 31 new, purpose-built homes that meet the specific needs of older residents, ensuring they have a safe and comfortable living environment.

   • Maximise energy efficiency and reduce operational costs for occupants through achieving an A rating BER through the use of air-to-water heat pumps and high-quality insulation. The incorporation of environmental sensors in all homes (will) monitors ongoing air quality, contributing to a healthier living environment.

2. Outcome 2: Enhanced Community and Support

   • Create a supportive community environment with the inclusion of a communal facility that encourages social interaction and reduces isolation among older residents.

   • Gather socio-economic and demographic profiles of residents to allow Tuath’s Tenant Engagement officers to engage with appropriate services in local areas so as to best tailor service provision to residents specific needs.

3. Outcome 3: Improved Health and Well-being

   • Enable older persons to live independently within their community, contributing to improved overall health and well-being by offering age-appropriate housing and a supportive living environment.

   • Actively engage with residents through coffee morning, on site clinics, surveys etc. to explore needs and wishes. This will inform the organisation of well being sessions, training and local community events and initatives