Kerry County Council is being called on to develop age-friendly housing options or retirement villages.
Fine Gael councillor Angie Baily made the call, saying she feels it would help free up the housing market.
At the monthly meeting of Kerry County Council, Cllr Angie Baily asked that the council to consider collaborating with Approved Housing Bodies and/or private investors to develop age-friendly housing options or retirement villages.
She believes this would enable older people sell their larger homes and move into a smaller property, if they wish to do so.
Cllr Baily says these age-friendly communities would have on-site caregiving and management options, as well facilities like cafes.
She says there is a massive need for housing and some older people have houses that are of a substantial size that they can’t maintain.
Cllr Angie Baily feels her idea would help younger people and those who might wish to start a family to get a home of their own.
Kerry County Council says it works closely with all Approved Housing Bodies to deliver social housing around the county, and will continue to support projects that deliver age-friendly housing options in areas where a demand and need has been identified.
The council also says it’s aware that a number of local authorities have introduced a ‘right sizing’ initiative for older tenants who can transfer to smaller dwellings from their current larger homes.
It says the rollout of a similar scheme in Kerry may be considered by the Housing Strategic Policy Committee as part of its current work programme.
