A pioneering model of supported housing

In early 2025, Circle completed Richmond Place, a purpose-built, 52-apartment supported housing scheme designed to enable people to age in place with dignity, independence, and community connection.

Designed specifically for older people, it offers flexible living arrangements for individuals, couples, siblings, and those requiring overnight care. This Pathfinder Project, the first of its kind in Ireland, is an innovative model and offers a mix of 1.5- and two-bedroom apartments, specifically tailored to meet tenants’ evolving needs.

Richmond Place represents a pioneering model of supported housing for older people, delivered through a unique collaboration between Circle, ALONE, the HSE, and Dublin City Council. Central to its success is Circle’s partnership with ALONE, a national organisation providing tailored support to older persons, including on-site services that promote independence, wellbeing, and community connection.

The HSE further enhances this model through the provision of visiting care packs, ensuring that tenants with medical or personal care needs receive consistent, responsive support within in their own homes.

Supporting lifetime adaptability

Funded through Dublin City Council and the Capital Assistance Scheme (CAS), Richmond Place delivers high-quality, age-friendly housing that supports placemaking, liveability, and long-term adaptability including infrastructure to install ceiling hoists and soft walls for future adaptation. Each of the 52 apartments enjoys dual aspect, maximising light and enhancing ventilation. All apartments are fully accessible, support lifetime adaptability and will continue to meet the evolving needs of the resident. Wide corridors, level access, and clear sightlines create a safe, welcoming environment. Richmond Place’s 1.5-bedroom units are specifically designed to accommodate carers or occasional overnight family visits. The two-bedroom units are ideal for couples, siblings, or those requiring additional space due to health or care needs.

In collaboration with Tunstall Emergency Response, each apartment has an assistive technology system that enhances security and connectivity. Through 24-hour onsite enablement services, assistive technology and tailored support packages, Housing with Supports provides innovative, cost-efficient housing for older adults with support needs who can be empowered to live independently.

Innovative design choices including durable, low-maintenance materials and energy-efficient systems help to reduce long-term running costs and environmental impact. The apartments are built to A2 BER standard, addressing fuel poverty by reducing heating needs and supporting healthy indoor air quality.

A groundbreaking partnership

Circle owns the properties and delivers tenancy and asset management to the Dublin scheme while ALONE provides onsite, 24/7 support services to the tenants. This includes regular care coordination, assessments, health and social care signposting and monitoring, volunteer befriending engagement and assistive technology alongside visiting care services from the HSE. A robust management framework ensures the Richmond Place scheme is safe, well-maintained, and responsive to tenant needs.

A key innovation in this project was the allocation process which was uniquely supported by Dublin City Council. For the first time ever, Circle, ALONE, and the HSE worked together to identify older people most in need of this specific combination of housing and support. This person-centred approach ensured that the right homes were matched with the right people, maximising the impact of this ground-breaking initiative and setting a new standard for integrated housing in Ireland.

RHS: Richmond Place is a pioneering model of supported housing for older people.

This integrated approach to housing and care is the result of a strong project steering group, whose members provided invaluable guidance to Circle and ALONE throughout the design, delivery, and development of the Richmond Place model. Their expertise shaped a housing solution that balances autonomy with access to care, an approach that is both scalable and replicable. Members of the group include Circle, ALONE, Dublin City Council, the Department of Health, the Department of Housing, the HSE (nationally and at a local area level), the Irish Council for Social Housing (ICSH) and Age Friendly Ireland.

Richmond Place is situated in the heart of Inchicore, Dublin 8, on a brownfield site formerly part of the historic St Michael’s Estate. The location of this development was a deliberate choice and the result of extensive consultation. The team responsible for the scheme’s design and delivery includes Ganson, OBFA Architects, The Cummings Group, Delap and Waller, and Fearon O’Neill. The scheme forms a key part of Dublin City Council’s regeneration master plan, transforming the area into a sustainable and inclusive community. Although the tenure of this scheme is social housing, through the local authority’s financial contribution scheme, this unique model also supports older people who are homeowners, ensuring a diverse, integrated community. It is ideally situated within 500 metres of amenities such as shops, healthcare services, library and public transport including the Luas and several bus routes. Nearby green spaces such as Grattan Crescent Park and Lansdowne Valley Park promote active, healthy lifestyles.

Design for community living

The design and location of Richmond Place is integral to promoting and enabling independent living, wellbeing, and meaningful connection for older tenants. Community integration is supported through shared spaces that foster social interaction and wellbeing. A multipurpose community room, lounge areas, and salon for visiting hairdressers offer inclusive spaces for everyday use. Wide walkways connect gardens and internal courtyards that encourage social gatherings, promoting connection, and reducing isolation. Nearby Richmond Barracks offers access to classes and social activities to support further integration into the local community.

Richmond Place’s well-designed, accessible homes in a supportive environment promote autonomy, facilitate right-sizing, and reduce reliance on the need for hospital or nursing home care. The scheme empowers older adults to maintain a high quality of life as they age, surrounded by community and the comforts of their own home.

Research shows that in cases where people live independently with access to integrated care, they are less likely to call emergency services and can be discharged from hospital quicker. This project represents a scalable supported housing model that blends environmental responsibility with social impact, providing a high-quality, dignified environment for older people. Delivered through an innovative new partnership model, Richmond Place offers a safe, inclusive, and empowering living environment where older people can thrive.

W: www.circlevha.ie