Simon Brooke Lecture 2025 Actions

The success of the Simon Brooke Lecture 2025 is a fitting tribute to Simon’s memory. The lecture examined age-friendly housing in Ireland, with contributions from Age Friendly Ireland, Co-Housing Communities Ireland, Sage Advocacy, Clann (Clúid’s age-friendly housing service) and Clann resident, Caroline Mahon.

The night offered a range of perspectives and insights on this important issue. Speakers explored how housing policy can shape positive ageing, with some common themes emerging from the discussion:

• Greater collaboration with all relevant stakeholders, including Approved Housing Bodies (AHBs), Local Authorities, the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage, the Housing Agency and Age Friendly Ireland, is needed
• Local Authorities and AHBs would benefit from the establishment of a cohesive national strategy on rightsizing, as previously committed to under Housing for All
• There is a need for national guidance regarding flexibility on allocations policy for AHBs
• Lifecycle Housing, which refers to the design or adaptation of housing to meet the needs of households of all ages and life stages, including younger and older residents, needs to be at the centre of our housing delivery approach
• Awareness raising by AHBs and Local Authorities regarding age-friendly housing is needed, so older people are aware of the options available to them
• Age-friendly housing must be properly funded, to ensure an adequate supply to meet changing demographics in Ireland.

Clúid, specifically, will undertake a number of actions, including:

• further engagement on the potential development of a public awareness raising campaign
• exploration of the potential for greater flexibility regarding allocations
• analysis of the age-friendly component of Budget 2026 and the updated national housing plan, expected later in October.

You can view interviews with this year’s speakers on Clúid’s YouTube channel at youtube.com/playlist?list=PLF5kxR5b4sY3pJsOF8Bwi4CHjFUL8SlaZ&si=PrMwkq6MbOzkft5V 

A big thank you to all who contributed and attended this year’s event.

Click on the image below to find out more about the actions and recommendations from the Simon Brooke Lecture 2025