Age Friendly Ireland in partnership with Irish Wheelchair Association, the National Disability Authority, the Irish Council for Social Housing convened national and international experts at the “Universally Designed Homes: Housing for All” conference in Dublin on 1st December, highlighting the urgent need to future proof housing as Ireland’s population ages.
Ireland is experiencing a demographic shift, with people living longer than ever before. By 2050, 30% of the people in Ireland will be aged 65 or over. This trend underscores the critical importance of creating homes that are adaptable, accessible, and inclusive for all stages of life.
The conference brought together people with lived experience, policymakers, housing authorities, architects, and community leaders to explore how Universal Design principles can transform housing policy and practice. These principles ensure homes are designed from the outset to meet the needs of everyone, young and old, with or without disabilities, eliminating costly retrofits and enabling people to age in place with dignity.
Speaking at the event, Catherine McGuigan, Chief Officer of Age Friendly Ireland Shared Service, commented: “We are delighted to collaborate on this important conference to discuss the provision of accessible Age Friendly housing which is central to supporting older people to age in place in their own communities. In Ireland, we are celebrating a rapidly ageing population, one of the highest among our European counterparts, and have a unique opportunity to design homes and neighbourhoods with age friendly principles ensuring that lifetime communities are developed for people of all ages across all generations. I want to acknowledge the commitment by the Department of Housing Local Government and Heritage in the recently published national housing plan “Delivering Homes, Building Communities” to accelerating delivery of housing solutions for older people. The housing sector in Ireland faces significant challenges and it is important to acknowledge the progress that has already been made through policy initiatives and collaborative age friendly housing projects. Age Friendly Ireland will continue to work through our colleagues in local government, in collaboration with Government, approved housing bodies, state bodies, developers, communities and the voice of older people through our Older Peoples Councils to work in partnership for the provision of sustainable housing solutions”
Aideen Hartney of the National Disability Authority also commented: “Ireland is unique in that we are the only country in the world to have a statutory centre for excellence in Universal Design and we welcome the opportunity to highlight the need for Universally Designed housing. Providing Universal Design and Universal Design + housing to meet the existing and changing needs of our population is critical to ensuring quality of life for disabled and older people while also ensuring the sustainability of our housing stock.”
Éadaoin Ní Chléirigh, Director of Development Operations, Irish Council for Social Housing said:’ The AHB sector, which we represent, has a key competence in the delivery of specialist housing for older and disabled people. But in recent years, we haven’t seen accessible housing delivery at anywhere near the scale required. Universally designed homes facilitate inclusive and independent living. In turn this helps build resilient multigenerational communities. Today’s event reflects the partnership required to drive this agenda for change’
Speaking at the event, Ann Marie O’Grady, CEO of Irish Wheelchair Association, said: “Accessible housing is not a luxury—it is a basic requirement for independent living. Too many disabled people are denied the opportunity to live safely and sustainably in their own communities because homes have not been designed with them in mind. This conference is about changing that reality and putting Universal Design at the centre of Ireland’s housing future.”
Age Friendly Ireland looks forward to working with Government, local authorities, approved housing bodies and all key stakeholders in the acceleration of housing for older people. The “Delivering Homes, Building Communities” plan (2025–2030) commits to delivering housing for older people as part of its 300,000 home target. It emphasises Age Friendly and universally designed homes, enabling older people to live independently and safely within their communities. Local authorities and Approved Housing Bodies will play a key role in providing these homes, supported by expanded funding streams and planning reforms. The plan also promotes rightsizing options, integration of Age Friendly principles in new developments, and collaboration with Age Friendly Ireland to ensure housing meets demographic needs.
