‘Rightsizing frees up housing’

Those in a position to do so are being encouraged to think about rightsizing across Cork city.

It comes as Cork City Council recently said it is seeking to increase awareness around the availability of specially designed homes for older people who would like to rightsize from properties that are no longer suitable for their needs.

Rightsizing generally means moving home later in life into housing that is more suitable. It was previously known as downsizing.

Some people might want to rightsize if the home they are living in no longer meets their needs now, and into the future.

Cork City Council said it is at the “forefront in the delivery of rightsizing options for older persons, with the ongoing development of age-friendly housing schemes”.

Rightsizing housing schemes have been established for people who find their homes too big for their current needs or their housing need has changed on medical or compassionate grounds.

The scheme is open to private homeowners and to people living in social housing as their move to rightsized homes, frees up privately- owned homes and social housing to younger families seeking housing.

At present, rightsized homes are available to people, aged over 60, in Blackrock, Douglas and Bishopstown with further schemes being planned across the city:

• Hawkes Road, Bishopstown - 24 homes (scheme managed by Tuath Housing)

• Springville House, Old Blackrock Road - 35 homes (Tuath Housing development)

• Sunview, South Douglas Road - 25 homes (scheme managed by Tuath Housing)

• Arus Mhuire, Blackrock - 30 homes (scheme managed by Tuath Housing)

Cork City Council has also said there are more schemes within the portfolio of properties owned by Cork City Council and the approved housing body sector which are designed to accommodate older persons allowing for significant choice of location.

Cork City Council Senior Executive Officer, Alison O’Rourke said: “Rightsizing frees up housing for younger families, it supports our sustainability goals as these projects are often built at formerly derelict or vacant sites, it offers quality warm, safe and comfortable housing with a high BER rating to older people - thereby supporting climate action - and it a supports age-friendly living. This novel scheme makes sense and supports national policy on a number of levels.”