Government called on to provide funding streams for retirement villages in Sligo

By Philip Rooney, The Sligo Champion

The issue of dedicated, ringfenced funding to build retirement villages with all necessary social and medical supports nearby was raised by Cllr Ann Higgins, who referenced the growth in private sector developments which aims, “To enrich the lives of the over 65s through high quality homes with a focus on comfort, connection and flexible support services.”

Cllr Higgins was speaking about her motion before the April meeting of Sligo County Council which called for the Local Authority to “Write to Minister for Housing James Browne calling on the government to establish a dedicated ‘older people, community-orientated’ funding stream to allow all councils to build retirement villages comprised of independent living units under social and affordable housing category.”

Cllr Higgins noted, “Such state of the art housing options are out of reach for so many on the social housing list or those struggling on state pensions, the class divide continues into aging. And more recently, we have seen that even those lucky ones who have been able to rent in these retirement villages, no longer have security of tenure as recently seen by the eviction notices issued to residents in Enniscrone retirement village’

Cllr Higgins called on the government, “To plan for and accommodate our aging population with a mix of social and affording housing options, integrated into the local communities, to be made available, as currently there are very limited options available in Sligo.”

Cllr Higgins added, “This motion is calling for a dedicated ringfenced building fund to encourage and incentivize all Local Authorities to develop purpose built retirement villages that will meet the housing needs of those over 65 on the social housing list, therefore providing social and affordable housing options to those who simply cannot afford the high-end private options. This will in turn ensure a fairer and just society where we will create vibrant communities that will enable longer, happier and healthier lives, irrespective of income. ‘The issue of population aging is serious, immediate and needs addressing now.”

Cllr Higgins insisted, “In terms of the provision of appropriate social and affordable housing for our aging population, the government needs to plan for it, fund it, incentivise it, measure it. It should require that Local Authorities are provided with a specific funding stream to meet local needs, which should be reflected in their multi annual capital programme with a dedicate KPI – Social and Affordable housing for the over 65s.

In appealing for support for her motion, Cllr Higgins stressed, “We do not need another glossy plan that sits on a minister’s shelf, rather we need actions, resources, annual targets, to address the class inequity evident in the elderly housing sector.”

Offering his support for the motion Cllr Dara Mulvey said, “Where these facilities are in place, it takes the strain off people. People can live independently but next door there is someone to speak to and there is never any anti-social issues.”

Article Funded by the Local Democracy Reporting Scheme.