First sheltered housing for the elderly completed

The Housing Authority has just completed the first sheltered housing project, consisting of eight one-bedroom apartments reserved for elderly people.

Due to the high demand for this first block of Category 1 sheltered housing flats, the authority is trying to incorporate similar flats in its next project. Fresh plans are being submitted to Mepa to facilitate this.

Housing Authority chairman, Marisa Micallef said: "We are very pleased that older people, both from Floriana and elsewhere, have reacted to this new concept with so much enthusiasm. The Housing Authority will continue to give attention to the housing needs of older people, which is not always given the priority it deserves as elderly people generally are among the largest number who live in our worst housing".

Both blocks in question are located in Floriana, the finished one in 22 Capuchins Street and the one under construction in Argotti and Lion Street.

Category 1 sheltered housing implies that the elderly tenants will live in self-contained flats.

The flats in Capuchins Street are easily accessible by means of a lift. The location in the middle of Floriana is ideal for older people because they can easily reach the facilities they need for their daily life.

The advantage of this type of block is that residents benefit from quiet neighbours and feel secure with each other. The Housing Authority supports the concept of elderly people living as long as possible in independent self-contained units within the community. Offering alternative housing solutions other than the residential care option is a new way to reach this aim and the high demand shows this is the right way, the authority said.

Once the flats are reserved for the elderly they cannot be bought or transferred to tenants' children but will remain the property of the Housing Authority to be rented to those who qualify for social housing.