‘Rightsizing’ older people is not the solution to the housing crisis, a spokesperson for Age Action has said. 

Rightsizing is when older people whose adult children no longer live with them move into a smaller property.

Advocates say it frees up family homes for those who need them and that older people benefit from living in a smaller property that is cheaper to heat and easier to maintain. 

In fact, some councils actively promote it to free up social housing. 

In Dublin alone there are 8,600 so-called ‘under-occupied units’ and in Dún Laoghaire Rathdown there are 534 three bedroom houses with two people living in them; more than 300 three bedroom properties have only one person living in them and there are 10 four bedroom properties in the local authority area which have only one person living in them.

Dún Laoghaire Rathdown Council actively encourages rightsizing but Head of Advocacy and Public Affairs at Age Action Celine Clarke said officials should make sure the needs of the elderly are prioritised. 

“Rightsizing shouldn’t be a crude exercise to shake out some kind of housing stock as a result of the prolonged housing supply or affordability crisis,” Ms Clarke told Newstalk reporter Josh Crosbie. 

“An awful lot of older people will say to us, when we talk about rightsizing policy or housing options, they push back against rightsizing, many of them say they don’t want to be downsized or rightsized. 

“Any sort of talk about a rightsizing policy is wrong if it starts with the idea that we’re trying to get homes for other people.”

EF5NGC An elderly couple sat at home in their living room in rural Ireland.

Out on the streets of Dublin, opinions were divided as to whether the policy is a good idea. 

“I think it’s down to your circumstances, your personal circumstances and the attachment with where you’re living,” one woman told Newstalk. 

“Also, it depends if your family are living nearby, you mightn’t get a property in the same area. 

“So, it really depends on the circumstances. Personally, I don’t think I’d downsize.

“I’d hope to keep it for when it gets full again.”

Irish housing market. Image: Alamy Stock Photo

Other individuals were more supportive: 

“It makes sense,” another woman said. 

“I would be for that to free up housing for younger families”. 

“I think it’s right to incentivise but not to force,” a man said. 

“It’s not those people’s responsibility for this - it’s the Government’s responsibility.”

Main image: Elderly couple in their 80s. Image: Alamy.com