A Government backed housing scheme for the over 60’s has just launched a call for expressions of interest for 2022
An exciting new housing scheme founded by Michelle Moore and working with well-known architects Dermot Bannon and Ciarán Ferrie. Ava Housing is designed to help homeowners who are over 60 and living alone, to upgrade their homes whilst also creating a rental unit upstairs in their house.
The architect designed housing solution helps homeowners to reconfigure their family sized homes to create a bedroom and bathroom on the ground floor which will be suitable for their changing needs and incorporates energy upgrades, and the creation of a rental unit for one person upstairs.
The rentals are offered to essential workers employed in local hospitals, schools and other essential services. Ava Housing helps the homeowner to select a suitable renter and manages the rental on behalf of the homeowner. Homeowners qualify for Rent-a-Room tax relief, valued up to €14,000p.a.
The award-winning design enables older people to stay in their own homes and communities and reduces potential isolation, whilst having the added benefit of providing a new income stream.
The pilot scheme arranges grants towards the costs of the home adaptation and energy upgrades. Ava Housing is a not-for- profit organisation and the pilot is being carried out with the funding and policy support of the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage.
Having successfully completed two pilot homes in Beaumont and Clondalkin, Ava Housing is about to carry out an expanded pilot of up to 10 houses in Beaumont and Artane and are looking for homeowners who would like to get involved.
Ava Housing director Dermot Bannon.
Photo Tony Gavin
Architect Dermot Bannon said “This is a really well considered and exciting housing option for people as they age, it’s a great way of making your home work for you, revitalising your house for your changing needs and making it more energy efficient for the future.
The house type around Beaumont and Artane is a perfect fit for this scheme and with the Ava Housing design you can stay in the comfort of your own home but simultaneously be in an almost new house, one that fits your needs. I’d urge anyone who’s curious to get in touch.”
Homeowner Eileen from Beaumont has recently had her house redesigned by architect Ciarán Ferrie through the Ava Housing Scheme. “I’m excited to be one of the first people to take part. Ciarán and the team really listened to me and came up with a design for downstairs that’s just right for me. I’m very proud of my new home and to have welcomed a renter to live upstairs. We can live independently, but are there if we need each other. “
Founder Michelle Moore is excited about the prospect of expanding the scheme in 2022.
Ava Housing would like interested homeowners in Beaumont/Artane to contact them to hear more about the new scheme. They would also like to hear from resident or community groups in other areas who would like to work with them in the future. Homeowners can express their interest at www.avahousing.ie/contact .
To learn more call Ava Housing on 01 485 1880, or view our website www.avahousing.ie.
About Ava Housing:
Ava Housing is an award-winning not-for-profit housing scheme for older homeowners which was developed as a response to the Government’s Homes for Smart Ageing Design Challenge.
Ava Housing aims to enable older people to remain in their own homes, facilitating greater independence, improved quality of life and reduction in social Isolation. The scheme sees homeowners reconfigure their homes to create self-contained accommodation for the homeowner downstairs and a new rental unit for an essential worker upstairs. The ground floor is adapted for the homeowner’s changing needs in line with Universal Design Principles and energy upgrades are also applied to the house.
Ava Housing provides an architect-led design for the house in consultation with the homeowner and will manage the build, the rental and provide ongoing support to the homeowner.
Founded by Michelle Moore, the Ava Housing team includes well-known architects Dermot Bannon and Ciarán Ferrie. The scheme has completed 2 pilot houses to date and will be expanding the pilot scheme to include 10 more houses in the Beaumont and Artane Areas. Ava Housing is supported by the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage.
