Minister for Mental Health and Older People welcomes the publication of HRB evidence review on supported housing

From Department of Health 

Minister for Mental Health and Older People, Mary Butler TD, has welcomed the publication of the HRB evidence review: Housing with support for older people: experience and impact.

This report was commissioned by the

Department of Health to inform its important collaborative work with the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage to develop a policy framework on housing for older people, so that a wider range of residential options will be available to them.

Minister Butler said:

"We all want opportunities to live full and meaningful lives on our own terms. A key principle underpinning government policy is to support older people to live independently in their own homes and communities.

"The findings of this evidence review published today will feed into the government’s work in this area in the months and years ahead. By understanding the perceptions of older people themselves, we can reflect their preferences in future policies – helping shape housing models that meet their needs.

"Older people must have choice when it comes to housing options. Having a say on where they live and who they live with should be at the heart of any housing policy for older people."

Notes

On 27 February 2019, the Joint Policy Statement “Housing Options for our Ageing Population” was launched. It identifies a programme of 40 strategic actions to further progress housing options for older people under the themes of data gathering, collaborative working, delivering choice, support services, comfort and safety and maintaining momentum.

One of the statement’s strategic actions was to undertake a research project to examine the housing circumstances and attitudes of households composed of homeowners aged 55+.