The Irish Council for Social Housing and AIB selected Circle Voluntary Housing Association and our partners ALONE as the WINNER for the Social Impact Award 2024 for Housing with Support Pathfinder Project, located in Richmond Place, Inchicore, Dublin 8.
It is a monumental achievement to have been recognized for the importance of this model of housing for all key stakeholders from Circle, ALONE, Dublin City Council the Department of Health – Ireland, the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage, the Health Service Executive (nationally and at a local area level), the Irish Council for Social Housing (ICSH), Age Friendly Ireland alongside our design and build team OBFA Architects and Ganson .
The aim of the Housing with Support Project is to develop a new model of housing for older people in Ireland where the key components (physical environment and care supports) are provided onsite, integrated into the community and are designed with older people at the centre. The Housing with Support model provides an alternative housing option for older people with support needs but who do not require nursing home/residential care. It allows older people to “right size” or move to homes that allow them to age in place with appropriate care and support services. Support is provided 24/7 by onsite staff with visiting care and support specific to the individual.
This model has benefits both for older people and for the health system. A 2020 Housing Agency study found that assisted-living supported housing could generate ‘an annual net benefit to the state of €5,200 in the case of social provision and an annual benefit of €9,200 in the case of private provision. Over a 30-year time period, investment in a unit of Assisted Living accommodation represents a net value to the State of €117,300 in the case of social provision and €207,000 in the case of a privately funded unit of Assisted Living accommodation.
For many older people, the Housing with Support model will offer better outcomes in terms of quality of life and independence, health and mental cognition, and reduced loneliness.
Cathy Bryce, Managing Director of AIB Capital Markets said:
“Sustainable communities are at the heart of what AIB does. AIB is proud to return as the main sponsor of the Irish Council for Social Housing annual conference again. We are particularly delighted to sponsor the Social Impact award 2024 and provide the winning entry with a masterclass with the AIB Social Housing team and Goodbody Clearstream focused on measuring and enhancing the organisation and project’s sustainability practices. We look forward to communities reaping the benefits of sustainable innovation.”
John Hannigan CEO of Circle Voluntary Housing Association said:
“The team at Circle VHA are delighted with the opportunity to design, build and operate this unique development and to collaborate with Alone to bring together a range of services and supports for older people. We look forward to completing the project with our contractors and partners and to welcoming tenants into their new homes in the coming months. We are thrilled this project has been recognised for the Social Impact Award by the ICSH and we look forward to seeing HWS projects replicated nationwide.”
Pictured: Stuart Muldowney, Director at AIB; John Hannigan, CEO of Circle Voluntary Housing Association; Aoife Dennis; Housing with Support Manager, ALONE.
