St Joseph’s House, Manor Hill, Waterford – Age Friendly Housing Development

Description

St Joseph’s House is a former religious convent constructed by the Little Sisters of the Poor in 1874 who dedicated their lives to caring for the elderly. The site comprises of the Main Convent Building, Courtyard Buildings, Presbytery Building, School House and the Gate House.

In 2010, The Little Sisters vacated the site to move to a purpose built facility in Waterford and the site on Manor Hill had since been mostly vacant since then until Walsh & Sheehan Investments purchased the site in 2019.
Discussions then took place with Waterford City & County Council with the proposal to refurbish the main house along with the ancillary buildings using the Repair and Lease scheme (RLS). St Joseph’s House was a landmark building with an elevated position which was in need of significant attention to mitigate further significant deterioration.
Planning was granted for the development in August 2021 and in December 2021 works commenced onsite and concluded in June 2023 when the 71 units were handed over the Waterford City & County Council (W.C.C.C.). The building was officially opened on 16th June 2023 by Minister for Housing Darragh O Brien and on 28th July 2023 the keys for the first unit were handed out with full capacity achieved in January 2024.

St Joseph’s House is an age friendly housing development with 71 Units for people aged 55 and over for a minimum of 25 years with a strong focus on Tenant Engagement.

St Joseph’s House aims to provide age friendly housing appropriate to the needs of older adults in Waterford in line with Waterford Age Friendly Strategy as well as promoting and supporting independent living and ageing in place. The development of 71 Units offers age friendly and adaptable apartment layouts within the existing structure of the building. St Joseph’s House prime city centre location aims to ensure convenient access to a comprehensive range of local services and facilities including proximity to bus stops, hospitals, primary care centres, shops, libraries etc. The dwelling units are complemented by well designed external spaces which aims to foster a strong connection to the outdoors for recreational and functional needs. Despite the site’s topography, gently sloping walkways interconnect various areas and establish a seamless connection to the surrounding community.

There is also a multipurpose community room (the old chapel) which provides opportunities for health, social and tailored community supports for residents managed by Margaret Drohan,employment by W.C.C.C. as Tenant Engagement Officer. The recently established St Joseph’s Tenants Forum/Residents Association will further enhance and develop the community spirit at St Joseph’s House.

Aim of Initiative

St Joseph’s House aims to provide age friendly housing appropriate to the needs of older adults in Waterford in line with Waterford Age Friendly Strategy as well as promoting and supporting independent living and ageing in place. The development of 71 Units offers age friendly and adaptable apartment layouts within the existing structure of the building. St Joseph’s House prime city centre location aims to ensure convenient access to a comprehensive range of local services and facilities including proximity to bus stops, hospitals, primary care centres, shops, libraries etc. The dwelling units are complemented by well designed external spaces which aims to foster a strong connection to the outdoors for recreational and functional needs. Despite the site’s topography, gently sloping walkways interconnect various areas and establish a seamless connection to the surrounding community.

There is also a multipurpose community room (the old chapel) which provides opportunities for health, social and tailored community supports for residents managed by Margaret Drohan who is employment by W.C.C.C. as a Tenant Engagement Officer and the recently established St Joseph’s Tenants Forum/Residents Association. Long term a Social Enterprise Initiative will also be developed within St Joseph’s House.

Who is it aimed at

The target group is older adults aged 55 years and over. The 2020 Summary of Social Housing Assessment informed the breakdown of unit types which were required in this development which indicated that out of Waterford Council’s qualified 1,267 households, 22% were aged over 50. There was also an indication that 57% of qualified households were single person households. 2022 CSO data shows the age profile for Waterford population with approx. 30% or 38,000 are over 55.

In the context of W.C.C.C.’s Rightsizing Policy, ” Rightsizing” refers to the deliberate action of transitioning to more suitable housing later in life. The allocation of 20 transfer units facilitated older adults who wished to ‘rightsize’ as well as the strategic reassignment of existing larger residences to families in need, in accordance with the W.C.C.C.’s Rightsizing Policy.

The provision of Age Friendly Housing is an action under the Housing for All Plan. Older adults benefitted from affordable, accessible & safe housing appropriate to their needs as well as having a sense of community which enhances connections, alleviates social isolation/loneliness and improves overall health and wellbeing.

3 Steps critical to success

1. Allocations and Housing Need:
   71 units in the site comprising:
   42 x 1 Bed units
   28 x 2 Bed units
   1 x 3 Bed unit
   Expressions of interest (EOI) was advertised on Social media and on Waterford Council’s website. EOI sent to all transfer tenants approved on downsizing grounds that are over 55, including AHB’s (Approved Housing Bodies). Units were also advertised on W.C.C.C.’s CBL (Choice Based Lettings) resulting in a total of 439 CBL bids received, with breakdown as follows.
   • 1 beds = 119
   • 2 beds = 295
   • 3 beds = 25

   W.C.C.C. also received 31 hard copy “Expression of interest” forms.

   The 71 Units were allocated in accordance with W.C.C.C.’s Housing Allocation Policy.

2. Tenancy Engagement:

   The Tenant Engagement Officer employed in December 2023 by W.C.C.C. held a Meet and Greet Morning with Residents in December 2023 and supported the setting up of a Tenants Forum/Residents Association in St Joseph’s in April 2024. S.E.TU. undertook a Needs Analysis with residents in St Joseph’s to ascertain residents needs regarding Tenancy Supports, Health, Social and Community supports/programmes as well as Strengths and Skills of Residents which will inform the future development of St Joseph’s. This will all contribute to the development of the community spirit within St Joseph’s.

3. St Joseph’s House follows the Age Friendly Design Principles which were critical to age proofing this development. For example:

   Well connected to local amenities e.g. Health Services, Shops, Libraries, etc

   Easy to approach/enter
   50 units in the main building:
   • 2 lifts
   • 5 stairwells
   • All units are level access

   21 units in the out-buildings
   • Own door access
   • 3 have stair access, all others have level access front doors

   Connection to the outdoors
   • Huge open communal space which will be developed with input from the Tenants Forum / Tenant Engagement Officer

   Easy to move about in
   • The size of the apartments exceeds the spatial requirement of the 2018 Apartment Guidelines

   Has a Guest Bedroom
   • 28 x 2bed
   • 1 x 3bed

   Accessible/adaptable toilets
   Entry level toilets
   Wet rooms / walk in showers where possible and if not Step in showers provided.

   Energy/Cost Efficient
   • Electric heating and hot water
   • BER’s range from C2 – B1 in the main building (the original building was G rated)
   • External walls drylined

   Good Security/Technology Systems
   • Capped electrical point for future installation of a chair lift
   • Main house has fob access and intercom calling from the external doors
   • CCTV at main access doors
   • Broadband throughout the site

3 Challenges in Planning / Delivery

1. St Joseph’s site was one of Waterford’s most prominent derelict city centre sites, it’s iconic stature forming part of the Waterford backdrop since the 1800’s. As an extensive old building with protected structure status it need a particular approach and skillset to return it to use.

   This project involved extensive demolition and renovation within the existing protected structure to conserve it’s past whilst sensitively accommodating the new 51 A rated units, which provided valuable housing older persons in their local community.

   Completion of the project was hampered due to the Covid 19 Pandemic.

   Fire compliance was also a challenge in the building layout.

   Due to the dereliction and disrepair of the building, the woodwork was infested with woodworm and rot were an issue to be overcome with treatment. Accessibility was also an issue given the structure of the building however this too was overcome resulting in 69 of the 71 units being accessible.

   Insulation of the building and room temperature was a challenge to be overcome given the structure of the building, insulation was predominantly done from the inside, specialists were engaged to do a research project for this purpose. The building was originally a G BER rating and is now A to C rated.

2. It was decided prior to commencement to deliver this project as an Age Friendly development. The Council used our own and external expertise to design, build and then provide an Age Friendly development. The challenge was to make the building suitable and sustainable which was achieved. The chapel, for example was initially viewed as somewhat of a liability, however it ultimately has become a focal point for developing the community in the overall development.
3. The funding mechanism of the scheme was delivered through the Repair and Lease Scheme which was pioneered in Waterford. The scheme allows for the sharing of risk, and allows an innovative funding mechanism that allowed the developer to return the building to use in the knowledge that the Council would be the end user and would provide an income stream.

3 Outcomes / Benefits

1. All 71 housing units are now occupied with up to 100 people living there.

   Housing for All Mission – The overall aim of the Government’s new housing plan for
   Ireland is that: ‘Everyone in the State should have access to a home to purchase or rent at an affordable price, built to a high standard and in the right place, offering a high quality of life’ – this has been met through the delivery of St Joseph’s House for those aged 55 and over in Waterford. A Needs Analysis Report highlights the skills, strengths and needs of residents in St Joseph’s and will inform the future development of a range of services/supports in St Joseph’s for residents.

2. Onsite support through the employment by W.C.C.C. of a Tenant Engagement Officer (Margaret Drohan) whose role includes the development of Tenancy Supports and co-ordination of community, health and social supports.
3. A Tenants Forum/Residents Forum was established in St Joseph’s and will work with W.C.C.C. and other organisations/agencies in the area to ensure the continued development of a positive sense of community in St Joseph’s as well as assisting in the development of supports/services for residents for the future.