‘We need more houses for over-50s to downsize,’ says TV’s Wallace

MORE housing supply is needed for over-50s looking to downsize, according to architect Hugh Wallace.

The judge on RTÉ One series ‘Home of the Year’ believes there are people in the age bracket who have a desire to move to a smaller residence but don’t want to move away from the area they are familiar with.

“There is a huge lack of housing for over-50s.

“People have homes but want to downsize in the same area and the community they know. Those kinds of houses and apartments are needed,” Mr Wallace told the Irish Independent.

“I’ve no understanding why there is a reluctance to build social housing.

“With height and density, buildings of about 10 or 12 storeys, you can deliver homes and it is sustainable because there are already services and facilities available instead of sending people outside the M50 or outside ring roads in Cork.”

The 62-year-old from Dublin 8 is set to appear on TV screens tonight at 8.30pm as the interiors show returns for its fifth series. And while openplan housing is a buzz word when it comes to design excellence, Mr Wallace said a home also needs hideaways for a bit of peace and quiet.

“You need a space, a library or a room because we all get hacked off with somebody at times and you need to go off and throw the toys out of the pram.”