About

Our Story

Ava Housing offers an alternative to older homeowners where they can adapt their homes to suit their future needs while also creating a rental capacity within their home. This not only provides financial benefits but can also provide a sense of security and community for homeowners.

Ireland has an ageing population, with a very high incidence of home ownership. Over 160,000 older homeowners are living alone in family-sized houses, with many living in mature, well serviced, urban locations. For many of those homeowners, while their house is their greatest asset, it may also give rise to significant expense.

In 2016 the ERSI (The Economic and Social Research Institute) published a paper on “Housing and Ireland’s Older Population”. The paper highlighted the extent to which older homeowners occupy family-sized homes while there is also a housing shortage. Michelle Moore founded the organisation in 2016 as a not-for-profit enterprise which offers an alternative solution to the problem that is focused on the needs of the homeowner.

Michelle teamed up with Architects Dermot Bannon and Ciarán Ferrie to come up with a design solution that is applicable to the widest range of homes possible in a way that is sympathetic to existing homes and neighbourhoods and facilitates older people staying in their homes. Ava Housing provides an ongoing service of support to the homeowner through the retrofit of their home, the finding and selection of a renter (an essential worker) and the management of the rental on behalf of the homeowner.  We provide expertise, guidance and experience so the homeowner is supported at every stage in adapting their home to better suit their changing needs.

Of course, every home is different and every project is different and this is carefully managed by Ava Housing so that the homeowner gets the best adaptations to suit their requirements. For us, we recognise the importance of place and home for older people and the wish to stay in their communities. Our proposal facilitates homeowners to downsize within their own home and to re imagine their homes to suit their needs.

Ava Housing has completed pilot houses in Clondalkin and Beaumont and is receiving funding and policy support from the Department of Housing Local Government and Heritage to complete an expanded in 2022. The first phase of this pilot will seek to support homeowners in the Beaumont/ Artane area of Dublin to upgrade their homes over the coming months..

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Sensible Approach

Supports the home owner.
Avoids unintended consequences.
Optimises existing rules.

Home Sharing

Uses the whole house.
Brings people together.
Boosts retirement income.

Smart Ageing

Recognises that the home is tied up with memories. Designed for evolving needs.
Can revert back to family home.

Our Team

Michelle Moore

Founder

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Ciarán Ferrie

Director

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Dermot Bannon

Director

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Sinead Leahy

Director

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Olivia Golden

Project Manager

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Caroline Kilbane

Marketing Advisor

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Sara Carrigan

Project Manager

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Awards & Accolades

Ava Housing are grateful for the support and recognition we have received to date. Here are some of the awards and support funding we have won. Thank you all for your continued support.

Winner

Social Entrepreneurs Ireland Awards 2018

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Winner

Social Enterprise Grant Scheme Award 2017

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Winner

Homes for Smart Ageing Universal Design Challenge (HSAUDC) 2017

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Winner

Smart Ageing Innovation Awards 2017 - Homes and Housing

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Commended

Institute of Designers in Ireland Awards 2017

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