LIMERICK City and County Council have launched their fourth private rightsizing scheme in the county.
People over the age of 55 who wish to downsize can avail of the scheme which sees the local authority purchase their home in exchange for a lifelong tenancy in a managed older person’s scheme.
One and two bedroomed apartments in the Newtown Meadows development in Castletroy will be available under the scheme from November.
The private rightsizing scheme is voluntary and is in partnership with Clann, a division of Clúid Housing that provides dedicated age-friendly homes for people 55 years and older.
The rightsizing scheme in Newtown Meadows is Limerick City and County Council’s fourth rightsizing scheme so far.
Launching the new scheme, Mayor of Limerick City and County councillor Gerald Mitchell said: “This scheme is the fourth in a number of schemes across Limerick that the Council are working on in partnership with Clann in building age-friendly communities.”
“The private rightsizing scheme is an entirely voluntary scheme which means that you do not have to move unless you choose to do so,” he explained.
“The private rightsizing scheme provides a great opportunity for people to voluntarily ‘rightsize’ to age friendlier accommodation.”
Caroline Curley, Director of Housing in Limerick City and County Council, said: “Limerick City and County Council and Clann Housing are committed to empowering residents to live for as long as they possibly can in sustainable, high quality, affordable homes in their own communities.”
“Our joint ambition is to expand and improve housing options for people over the age of 55. Our aim is not just to help people wanting to transfer to a smaller home but to release larger three or four bedroom properties that are in high demand for families that need them most,” she said.
Aoife Flynn Kennedy, Head of Clann, added: “These new apartments will allow people who have outgrown their current home to rightsize by moving to a more manageable smaller home while staying in their local community, close to their friends and family.”
“Clann’s vision is a society where everyone has a great place to live and we are playing a vital role in shaping policy around the delivery of more age-friendly and age-appropriate housing. Clann is already delivering the largest age-friendly social housing development programme in Ireland,” Ms Flynn Kennedy concluded.
Applications for the scheme close on October 27 at 5pm. Interested candidates can get more information on Limerick.ie/council/services/housing/social-housing/private-rightsizing-scheme.
