A new housing development in Dublin 15 has officially opened with 133 A2-rated homes, including 57 age-friendly homes for older people.
The homes at Hansfield Station Quarter were delivered through a partnership involving Fingal County Council, the Department of Housing, the Housing Finance Agency and Approved Housing Body Fold Housing.
The development is Fold Housing’s largest project to date and includes one-, two- and three-bedroom homes for older residents, families and individuals.
The scheme comes as Ireland’s housing crisis continues to affect households at different stages of life. Recent M10News reporting has examined how older renters are facing growing pressure alongside single buyers and people experiencing homelessness.
Age-friendly housing in Dublin 15
The 57 homes designated for older people are intended to support independent living, with features aimed at improving safety, accessibility and residents’ connection to the surrounding community.
The homes are A2-rated and include air-source heating systems, high ceilings and secure access. CCTV and a 24-hour emergency call system are also provided, with the latter specifically available to older residents.
The development includes landscaped communal courtyards and underground parking. Residents are also close to shops, healthcare services and public transport, with Hansfield train station around a five-minute walk away.
The mix of age-friendly and general-needs homes is designed to create an intergenerational community rather than separating older residents from families and individuals.
Housing for an ageing population
Ireland’s population is ageing, increasing the need for housing that allows older people to remain independent while staying connected to their communities.
The Department of Housing said the proportion of people aged 65 and over is projected to increase from 15.7% of the population in 2022 to more than 25% by 2040.
That demographic change is placing greater emphasis on the availability of suitable homes for older people, including accessible and energy-efficient housing that can support independent living.
The issue is also connected to wider questions around housing security for older renters. M10News recently reported on calls for Ireland’s social housing rules to better reflect mortgage barriers facing older renters, particularly for people who may have stable incomes but struggle to access homeownership because of age-related lending restrictions.
The Hansfield development illustrates the role that Approved Housing Bodies can play alongside local authorities in delivering social and age-friendly housing.
Government says housing delivery must increase
Speaking at the opening, Mayor of Fingal Councillor Tom O’Leary said the project showed how partnership and planning could create “vibrant, intergenerational neighbourhoods”.
He said the age-friendly homes reflected Fingal’s approach to developing housing that supports people throughout their lives.
Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage James Browne TD said the Government needed to deliver more homes across social, affordable, cost-rental and private housing.
“We are responding to a housing crisis and need to deliver and activate more homes across all tenures – social, affordable, cost rental, and privately,” Browne said.
He also said the Government was working to remove barriers to housing delivery and referred to the new housing action plan, Delivering Homes, Building Communities, launched on the same day.
The focus on increasing housing supply comes as local authorities continue to deliver developments across Dublin. Dublin City Council is also progressing the final 95 Starter Homes at Oscar Traynor Woods, part of a wider 850-home development combining social, cost-rental and affordable-purchase housing.
57 homes designed for older residents
Minister of State for Older People and Housing Kieran O’Donnell TD said the development demonstrated the importance of providing older people with “real housing choice and security in later life”.
He said the inclusion of 57 age-friendly homes showed how purpose-built housing could allow older people to live safely and independently while remaining connected to their communities.
Fold Housing CEO Kath Cottier said the project demonstrated what could be achieved when housing, health and community priorities were considered together.
She said the organisation’s approach was focused not only on the design of homes but also on independence, accessibility and community connection.
Fingal County Council Chief Executive AnnMarie Farrelly said the partnership had delivered homes intended to meet the needs of families, individuals and older people.
Housing Finance Agency Chief Executive Deirdre Collier said the agency had provided long-term financing to support Fold Housing in delivering the 133 homes.
The project adds to housing supply in Dublin 15 while providing a mix of homes intended to support residents with different housing needs.
For older residents in particular, the development offers an age-friendly alternative designed around independent living, accessibility and proximity to local services and public transport.
