Sheltered housing proposal wins place on EU scheme shortlist
A PROPOSAL for accommodation units that would allow older people live independently in a protected environment in their own communities in West Kerry has been shortlisted for a inclusion in a major EU scheme and will now receive funding to help move the idea closer to reality.
The proposal, which was submitted by NEWKD to the EU Smart Villages Programme on behalf of communities across Corca Dhuibhne, aims to find ways of providing accommodation specifically designed to meet the needs of older people so that they would be able to live in their own communities rather than going into nursing homes. The NEWKD proposal outlines that one of the great benefits that would come out of community-based accommodation for the elderly is that they would continue to have day to day contact with neighbours, friends and particularly younger people who might benefit from the wisdom of their elders.
The idea for the proposal grew out of the NEWKD’s socio-economic survey of Corca Dhuibhne which was conducted last year and found that many elderly people live alone in the area. Meanwhile, community consultation meetings conducted as part of the survey discovered that there are widespread concerns in West Kerry about the shortage of suitable housing for elderly people.
“Foremost among the issues raised [at the community consultation meetings] was that of housing. People identified two core aspects of housing that need to be addressed; firstly, the provision of suitable and bespoke housing options for older people and secondly, the supply and affordability of housing for families,” NEWKD area manager Seamus O’Hara told The Kerryman this week.
“In response, NEWKD availed of an opportunity to access supports under the EU Smart Villages Initiative. This seeks to support rural communities – particularly villages – to adapt new technologies and community development approaches in enabling them to be more vibrant places.”
The accommodation proposal from Corca Dhuibhne has now been selected to represent Ireland in the next round of the Smart Villages Programme, which means the development group will be able to access supports so that feasibility studies can be completed as the first step in providing community-based housing on the peninsula.
Seamus said the West Kerry Local Area Advisory Committee, made up of representatives of communities across Corca Dhuibhne, will now begin a planning and development process to progress the proposal and will hold public consultations with the local community and a wide range of other stakeholders.