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Rightsizing Scheme

Rightsizing Scheme

 What is rightsizing?

Rightsizing generally means moving home later in life into housing that is more suitable.  It was previously known as ‘downsizing’. Some people may want to rightsize if the home they are living in no longer meets their needs now, and into the future. 

Cork City Council is at the forefront in the delivery of rightsizing options for older persons, with the ongoing development of age-friendly housing schemes. 

The Council’s aim is to assist people wanting to transfer to a smaller home, better suited to their needs, and also to release properties that are in high demand by families that need them most.

 

Who can avail of rightsizing?

Cork City Council’s rightsizing scheme is open to people over the age of 60 –both council tenants and private homeowners – who find their home too large for their needs.

It is a voluntary scheme, which means that you do not have to move unless you choose to.

Cork City Council has developed a number of schemes suitable for older persons’ rightsizing, and will continue to develop the programme to meet demand.  Applications are welcome and if properties are not immediately available you may be placed on a waiting list for your preferred areas / properties.

 

How does the Council’s rightsizing scheme work for existing council tenants?

Cork City Council has designated homes within its stock which are suitable for the needs of older people. The City Council’s downsizing scheme allows persons aged 60 years or over who are existing Cork City Council tenants to apply to the City Council for a tenancy in a dwelling under the downsizing scheme.

Subject to the eligibility requirements being satisfied and subject to the City Council’s approval of the acquisition of the applicant’s existing dwelling, Cork City Council will consider applications for letting under the downsizing scheme in the following circumstances and in priority as follows:

  • Persons living in unfit accommodation.
  • Where elderly persons wish to surrender their family type accommodation and move to smaller, more suitable accommodation.
  • Persons are in need of housing on medical, compassionate or other similar grounds.

If you are a Council tenant who wishes to enquire about rightsizing please email: housingcapital@corkcity.ie

 

How does the Council’s rightsizing scheme work for private homeowners?

Cork City Council’s rightsizing scheme allows people, aged 60 years or over, who own their private dwelling within the administrative area of Cork City to apply to the City Council for a tenancy in a dwelling under the rightsizing scheme.

This operates by Cork City Council purchasing their property at reduced market value, and in return granting a tenancy in an age-friendly property.

Subject to the eligibility requirements being satisfied and subject to the City Council’s approval of the acquisition of the applicants existing dwelling. Cork City Council will consider applications for letting under the rightsizing scheme in the following circumstances and in priority as follows:

  • Persons living in unfit accommodation.
  • Persons in need of housing on medical, compassionate or other similar grounds.
  • Persons who are, in the opinion of the City Council, not able to financially meet the cost, maintenance and upkeep of the accommodation they are occupying or are financially unable to obtain suitable alternative accommodation.  

The decision to grant a tenancy of a dwelling under the rightsizing scheme shall be subject to:

  • The sale by the applicant of their existing dwelling to the City Council.
  • To the payment of a financial contribution to the City Council.
  • To the execution of a Tenancy Agreement.
  • Payment of weekly rent set under the Differential Rent Scheme.
  • The applicant’s property will be valued at the current market value.
  • Net proceeds shall exclude.
  • The discharge of any mortgage or charge on the property.
  • Legal fees incurred in relation to the sale of the existing dwelling to the City Council.

If you are a homeowner and would like to learn more information about this scheme, please call 021-4924000 or email: housingcapital@corkcity.ie

 What rightsizing schemes are available?

The following schemes are recent examples of the Rightsizing Schemes being developed by Cork City Council:

  • Hawkes Road, Bishopstown                       24 homes               (Cork City Council scheme managed by Tuath Housing)
  • Springville House, Old Blackrock Road      35 homes               (Tuath Housing development)
  • Sunview, South Douglas Road                   25 homes              (Cork City Council scheme managed by Tuath Housing)
  • Arus Mhuire, Blackrock                              30 homes              (Cork City Council scheme managed by Tuath Housing)

 

There are many more schemes within the portfolio of properties owned by Cork City Council and the approved housing body (AHB) sector which are designed to accommodate older persons, within a number of areas in the City, allowing for significant choice of location. 

Further schemes will be developed by Cork City Council in accordance with demand and updates will be posted on this webpage as new schemes launch.