Ireland’s first fully collaborative Housing with Support scheme for older people has officially opened in Inchicore, Dublin 8. The project provides 52 lifetime-adaptable social housing apartments for 68 residents and combines housing with on-site support services designed to reduce reliance on hospital and nursing home care.
The pathfinder project was delivered through a partnership between Circle Voluntary Housing Association, Dublin City Council, ALONE, the HSE, the Department of Health, and the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage and Age Friendly Ireland.
One of Richmond Place’s new residents is Theresa. Speaking at the launch, she said: “We moved from our home in Ballyfermot into Richmond Place through the downsizing initiative. We find it very comfortable here and we feel very safe. The staff from Circle and ALONE are absolutely brilliant, if ever we need anything, we always know we can turn to them for help. We love living at Richmond Place.”
Richmond Place locates older people firmly at the centre of its design and delivery. The scheme offers a person-centred approach to housing that enables people to age with independence, dignity and security while remaining connected to their community.
The new housing scheme was officially launched today by the Lord Mayor of Dublin, Councillor Ray McAdam, Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage, James Browne TD, and Minister of State for Older People and Housing, Kieran O’Donnell TD.
A new benchmark project for ageing in place in Ireland
Through incorporating energy efficiency and, crucially, universal accessibility from the start, Richmond Place is specifically designed to support ageing in place.
At the heart of the project is the Housing with Support model, coordinated by ALONE, ensuring residents have the right support services to allow them to live independently and stay connected to their community. This innovative model integrates health support services with housing, enabling older people to live well in their own homes for longer and reducing reliance on hospital or nursing home care.
Each of the new homes is fully accessible, dual-aspect and designed for lifetime adaptability for the future provision of infrastructure for ceiling hoists and future care technologies where necessary. Combined, Richmond Place’s design and coordinated supports represent a new benchmark project for ageing in place in Ireland.
The scheme enables:
- Accessible and lifetime-adaptable, age-friendly homes
- On-site staff presence 24/7 with daytime non-medical support
- Community integration and social connection
- Coordinated supports across health and housing
Partnership in collaborative action
This unique collaboration brings together expertise across housing, health, local government and the community sector to deliver a first-of-its-kind model focused on enabling older people to live independently with the supports they need, when they need them.
The Richmond Place model reflects a shared commitment towards developing scalable social housing for older people, with on-site health support services, which is person-centred and responsive to the evolving care needs of older people. Through a joined-up approach, the scheme ensures that older people most in need of both social housing and support services are matched to the right home at the right time.
Located close to healthcare services, shops, transport and community amenities, Richmond Place supports older people to remain rooted in their neighbourhood, maintaining independence, personal relationships and quality of life.
Recognised impact
Richmond Place has received numerous acknowledgements, including the Large Regeneration Project and Overall Winner categories at the 2025 Irish Council for Social Housing Awards. These awards recognise the project’s strong social impact, sustainability credentials and innovative approach to community-based housing with health support services.
Shared indoor and outdoor spaces throughout the development promote social connection and help reduce isolation, while nearby community amenities, including Richmond Barracks, further support wellbeing and participation.
Ireland’s population is ageing. Richmond Place offers a scalable solution that prioritises older people’s needs, independence and dignity. It is a benchmark to inform future housing with support projects across the country and exemplifies what can be achieved through collaboration and shared purpose.
Lord Mayor of Dublin, Councillor Ray McAdam
“Richmond Place shows what can be achieved when housing, health, and community partners work together with a single purpose. This development represents the best of Dublin. It is inclusive, forward-looking and rooted in community. I am proud to see our city leading the way in developing innovative homes that support older people to live independently, safely and as active members of their community.”
Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage, James Browne TD
“This is an essential development. For me, combining social housing provision with health supports is critical to work into our housing delivery. What’s key here is that this scheme is helping older people to remain in their communities, close to family, friends and essential services.
“We have changing demographics and we have to respond to them and be innovative and responsive. Developments like this will be central to ensuring that more homes for older people with differing needs are delivered. The homes were built with capital funding provided by my Department and I wish the residents in these well-built, high-quality and secure homes the best in the years ahead.”
Minister for Older People and Housing, Kieran O’Donnell TD
“Richmond Place demonstrates what can be achieved through collaboration and collective delivery to meet the needs of older people. Through integrating housing and health supports, including home support services, within a community-based environment, Richmond Place ensures that older people can access the health and support services they need, allowing them to age in place with dignity and independence. I would like to commend all involved in this collaborative project for their ambition and commitment to delivering something so impactful.”
CEO of Circle Voluntary Housing Association, John Hannigan
“In partnership with Dublin City Council, ALONE, the HSE and all our colleagues across the Departments of Housing and Health, Circle is immensely proud of what has been achieved here in Richmond Place. These homes represent a new way of thinking about supported housing, placing people and independence at the centre of everything. Richmond Place demonstrates what can be achieved when we bring the right expertise together to design homes that truly meet people’s needs throughout their lives.”
CEO of ALONE, Seán Moynihan
“Richmond Place is about more than bricks and mortar – it’s about people. Our team will be here 24 hours a day, working with residents to promote wellbeing, prevent isolation, and ensure every person feels secure and connected. This is a powerful example of how the right supports, delivered at the right time, can transform lives.”
