Malta's first sheltered housing project completed

The Housing Authority has just completed Malta's first sheltered housing project, which contains eight one-bedroomed apartments reserved for older people. Due to the high demand for this first block of Category 1 sheltered housing flats, the Housing Authority is trying to incorporate similar flats in its next project, which has already started. Fresh plans are being submitted to MEPA to facilitate this.

Commenting about these developments, authority chairman Marisa Micallef said she was very pleased that older people, both from Floriana and outside, have reacted to this new concept with so much enthusiasm.

The Housing Authority would continue to give attention to the housing needs of older people, which is not always given the priority it deserves as older people generally were among the the largest number who lived in our worst housing.

Both blocks in question are located in Floriana, the finished one at 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 totally self-contained flats that have been built to suit their needs.

The flats in Capuchins Street are easily accessible thanks to the installed lift. The location in the centre 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 can benefit from quiet neighbours and feel secure with each other. The Housing Authority supports the concept of older people living as along as possible in independent, self-contained units within the community.

Offering other housing solutions than the residential care option is a new way to reach this aim and the high demand shows that this is the right way.

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 continuously rented to older persons who qualify for social housing.