Fold Housing: Working to meet the housing and care needs of older people

Fold Housing has launched its new strategic plan, aiming to deliver a new model of housing for older people in Ireland.

Fold is an approved housing body delivering social housing supported by funding from local authorities and the Department of Housing, a designated care provider approved by the Health Information and Quality Authority and funded by the HSE, and a charitable organisation registered with the Charities Regulator. Fold was established in 2001 and brought our first homes into management in 2006.

Our specialism is housing for older people; we have 581 designated homes which includes two Housing with Care schemes for 112 residents. These HwC schemes are a unique social care model of housing for frail elderly and people living with dementia. In addition, we manage 193 general community homes and advocate for communities that meet the needs of all generations in Ireland.

Housing and care

Meeting the housing needs of older people in Ireland goes beyond the provision of appropriate accommodation. At Fold, we work at the coalface of both housing and care services and are very aware of the increasing demand for the work we do. It is very positive to see a focus on housing for older people in Securing Ireland’s Future, the current Programme for Government. Given this commitment we are hopeful of further work that brings together both housing and health agencies at national and local level to deliver integrated solutions that support older people to live well in their communities.

The benefits of age-appropriate housing and the integration of community-led health and social care services for older people are well established in national policy and research, however, implementation remains limited. Proper housing, paired with access to community-based healthcare and preventative services, helps avoid hospital admissions and can prevent the need for long-term institutional care. This is aligned with the goals of national strategies, Sláintecare in the Department of Health and increased housing delivery and choice for older people which is the responsibility of the Department of Housing.

Our strategy at Fold draws on our existing skills and expertise and challenges us to work towards a new model of housing in our organisation. Coordinated investment, policy alignment, and joint planning at both national and local levels are critical to delivering meaningful, person-centred outcomes. Fold is well equipped and eager to play our part in delivering meaningful, person-centred outcomes for older people in Ireland.

By 2051 the 65+ age group is predicted to reach 1.5 million people, an increase of 50 per cent from 2023. However, this is only half the story, since 2016 the biggest increase in population, at 26 per cent, has been in those aged 70+ and people over 80 are predicted to rise to half a million by 2051. This undoubtably has implications for our health and housing systems to meet the needs of this growing population in a cost-effective way.

For us in Fold it is about more than cost, we believe that appropriate person-centred housing and care can liberate life in older age and support vitality and independence. The option of meaningful choice is still a long way off for many people and we need to increase the supply and types of age-appropriate housing as well as provide funding for support and care when it is needed. This will keep older people at home in older age-appropriate homes.

Fold Housing, Hansfield, Barberstown, Dublin 15.

Strategic Plan 2025-2027

To focus our attention on why Fold exists and what we want to achieve, our board worked with residents and colleagues to inform our decisions and provide clear direction on what we want to accomplish.

We are committed to ensuring that our work contributes positively to our vision of a society where older people have a great quality of life and choice.

Our purpose is:

• to develop and manage homes that older people want to live in;
• to empower residents to live fulfilling lives and foster thriving communities; and
• work towards delivering a new model of housing at Fold where care is available if needed.

What do older age-appropriate homes look like?

• Specialist older persons housing: Clusters of homes built to universal design standards with excellent communal and social spaces and an emergency alarm service. Early intervention and advocacy to access services when needed and a focus on social and communal activities that combat loneliness and isolation.
• A ‘new’ housing with care: All of the above with additional 24 hour onsite low-level support and the provision of personal care services in people’s homes. This personal care is only for those who need it and is instrumental in maintaining people’s ability to live independently for longer.

At Fold, we are committed to realising our purpose through strategic goals that emphasise maintaining high quality, strengthening governance, investing in our team, and driving operational excellence. These priorities form the foundation for our capacity to grow, influence positive change, and respond effectively to the evolving and increasing needs of older people in Ireland.

It is important to recognise that we can only realise our goals by working with others. We therefore continue to value our positive working relationships with residents and dedicated colleagues. Real progress also requires collaboration with external partners across housing, health, and social care sectors, underpinned by supportive policy, funding mechanisms, and local implementation. We will continue to strengthen our voice to inform positive change, look forward to strengthening existing relationships and creating new partnerships that are essential to achieving the ambitions set out in our new strategic plan.

What difference does specialist housing make?

Lynda, 74: “You know, it became stable; stabilised if you know what I mean. I have no more worries about losing my home. If I had to rent private accommodation I would have become homeless very quick. I would not have security. I can come and go as I please. It’s my own door, my own home I say. I started off the gardens during the pandemic because I got my money back. I had a holiday booked and could not go. So, I said right I will spend it on the garden, and it was my gift to the community.”

T: 01 822 8804
E: enquries@foldireland.ie
W: https://www.foldhousing.ie/

Strategic Plan: https://www.foldhousing.ie/publications/