Background to the Project

Kilmihil Community Housing Association is a non-profit voluntary body set up in 2000 to provide housing in a safe, secure environment for the elderly of Kilmihil and surrounding areas. The Association grew out of a desire by the local development association and the parish council to provide suitable accommodation for the elderly of the parish. It is a company limited by guarantee, with charitable status and has been granted Approved Status from the Dept. of the Environment and Local Government under Section 6 of the Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1992 for the purposes of Voluntary Housing. The Association is responsible for the planning, running and up-keep of the project.

The Project

The project itself consists of 16 houses and a Communal building and is called The Meadow.

It is built on land very kindly donated by the parish and the Diocese of Killaloe. The Communal building is the nerve centre of the development where residents can meet one another and others from the wider community. Services on offer will include laundry, medical room, leisure room together with toilets and washroom facilities. The housing development though central is secluded and private from the normal activities of the village. The house design with conservatory at the front allows residents full view of the streetscape and on-going activities. All houses and communal centre are wheelchair accessible. The houses by design are for able-bodied people to help them maintain their independence while at the same time providing all necessary support to ensure that this is the case. Each unit is separate and independent. The ethos of the scheme is to avoid institutionalisation and promote integration. Older people are important to the social and cultural life of a community and we believe that this development will give them an opportunity to continue to contribute to society and to interact with village life.

Funding

Funding for the project came from various sources. The Dept. of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government approved a loan, which covered the cost of the houses, and part funded the Communal building. This money is channelled through Clare Co. Council. The remainder of the money came from a LEADER grant, People in Need Grant and fundraising from the local community, which is on going.

Residents

The residents will, in general be over 60 years of age, capable of living independently or with little or no help. 75% of the residents should be eligible for the Co. Council housing list, i.e. poor housing conditions, living in isolation or without family support. The other 25% of the residents are at the discretion of the Association.

Involvement of Clare Co. Council

Clare Co. Council has worked in very close contact with the Association and has provided invaluable help and assistance over the past five years. All government monies were channelled through the Co. Council. That work still continues with the Housing Section of the Co. Council and the Association working together to ensure the best for the residents and potential residents.

Committee

Dr. Michael Harty, (Chairman), Liz Dack (Secretary), Lillian Fitzgerald, Kay Considine (Treasurers), Jerry Lernihan, Michael Lillis, Mary Downes, Pauline Hehir, Geraldine Hetherton, Mary Carey, Fr. Peter O’Loughlin PP, Michael Fitzpatrick, Larry Blake, Rose Pilkington