More housing solutions for the elderly

After the successful allocation of the first sheltered housing units last June, the Housing Authority is planning other sheltered housing projects for the elderly.

The next project is expected to be completed at the end of this year. It is located in Merchants Street, Valletta and will comprise of eight self-contained one- and two-bedroom units finished to suit the needs of the elderly. A day center will be incorporated at ground floor level, which will be open also for non-residents and serve as a meeting place for the elderly, their family and friends.

Marisa Micallef, chairman of the Housing Authority, said: "The board of the Housing Authority has decided that every new building project consisting of 25 units and over will now include a part reserved for Category 1 Sheltered Housing. Research has shown that this form of housing can significantly delay the entrance or the need for an older person to have to move into an old people's home."

The authority has already started an urban renewal project in Argotti Street, Floriana, which will comprise of 28 garages or parking spaces, five shops and 39 apartments divided through three separate entrances.

The 15 units, which are accessible from Lion Street, will be reserved for sheltered housing. They will consist of one- and two-bedroom self-contained apartments as well as studio flats suiting the needs of the elderly. Future tenants will include some elderly evictees who were living in the place before the reconstruction.

All three entrances will have a lift installed so that all apartments will be easily accessible. The apartments at the other two entrances on Argotti Street will be sold on a Shared Ownership basis. This project is expected to be completed in August, 2007.