ALONE Submission on the Department of Housing Plan 2025
In April 2025, ALONE prepared a submission to the Department of Housing regarding the next Housing Plan for Ireland.
ALONE supported almost 44,000 older people across our services in 2024. National policies have not adequately addressed the housing needs of this group, as evidenced by declining homeownership rates and increasing dependence on the private rental market. Despite commitments in the Housing for All strategy, housing options that meet the specific requirements of older people are insufficient.
This brief outlines the key housing challenges facing older people and offers evidence-based recommendations for the forthcoming National Housing Plan, with a specific emphasis on actions that support the scaling up of housing delivery or contribute to the key areas of social and affordable delivery.
This includes:
- 82,500 social housing units built to Universal Design standards for older people by 2040 – 25% of the 330,000 that are needed.
- 123,000 additional smaller units by 2040 as part of overall housing stock
- 17,215 supportive housing units, 5,656 co-housing and retirement village units, and 1,721 housing with support units to be delivered by 2040.
Additionally, ALONE believes the role of local authorities in housing development must be redefined.
This submission includes further details and policy recommendations to the Department of Housing.
