Rosscarbery is blazing a trail for housing options for the elderly

ORGANISERS of the second phase of a housing development at Star Garden in Rosscarbery had good luck on their side with glorious sunshine for their official opening, despite it being Friday the 13th.

This latest phase of nine housing units – a mixture of houses and apartments providing long term accommodation for older people – brings a total of 21 housing units developed by Rosscarbery Social Housing Association at Céim Hill in the village.

The first 11 were built in 2005 and the County Council is the sanctioning authority and assisted in securing €2.35m funding from the Department of Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government.

County mayor Cllr Christopher O’Sullivan and junior minister Jim Daly TD launched the scheme, which was also attended by local TDs Margaret Murphy O’Mahony and Michael Collins, as well as local councillors.

Cllr Christopher O’Sullivan said the development is an example of the Council working with communities to deliver sustainable housing solutions that really meet the varying needs of the people living in these homes.

‘Quality, affordable housing is key to healthy, resilient communities and facilitating older people to live independently is good news both for the individuals and our communities,’ he said.

Deputy Jim Daly said he is ‘incredibly proud’ of the Rosscarbery community. 

He said they have ‘blazed a trail’ when it comes to providing real alternative living options for elderly people.

‘Rosscarbery has inspired me as Minister for the Elderly to develop a government policy to promote alternative models of supported living for older people across the country,’ he said.

Chair of Rosscarbery Social Housing Association, Dr Dan Burke, thanked – not just his fellow committee members  and Cork County Council – but also the standard of work constructed by Cahalane Brothers following the turning of the sod in March 2018.

‘This latest phase enables a total of 23 people to live independently amongst their local community and enjoy a high quality of life with easy access to all the local services,’ said Dr Burke.

Fiona Calnan, PRO of the Rosscarbery Social Housing Association, said all the houses are fully occupied with 23 residents currently residing in Star Garden. 

She also revealed there is no No 13. ‘Incidentally, we don’t have a No 13 house in the development so the original development has houses No 1 to 12, we skipped No 13 and we have No 14 to No 22.’