The Galway Simon Community is seeking planning permission to demolish a derelict building, and build new apartments for older people in its place.
The plans submitted to Galway City Council are for the demolition of an abandoned building at 111 Upper Newcastle Road, which has been damaged by fire.
In its place Galway Simon intend to build a three storey building containing 10 one-bed apartments, specifically designed for older people with mobility issues.
The project will also involve the development of associated on-site car parking, external storage, and landscaping works.
“As the housing and homelessness crisis in Galway continues to deepen, the severe shortage of one bed apartments in Galway is widely recognised. The lack of accessible one bed apartments is even more acute,” the planning application states.
“Galway Simon Community has been supporting people who are homeless or at risk of homelessness in Galway since 1979. In 2019 we supported 646 households, including 748 adults and 443 children.”
“With more people facing homelessness as a result of the housing crisis, Galway Simon has placed a significant focus on our Prevention Services — where we can prevent people from becoming homeless, they do not experience the significant trauma of Emergency Accommodation.”
“Providing secure and affordable housing is one of the key ways that we prevent people from becoming homeless.”
“Over the last couple of years, we have noticed a marked increase in the number of older people who are facing homelessness for the first time in their later years.”
“This proposal is to develop a derelict site at 111 Newcastle Road into ten well designed accessible one bedroom apartments for older people and people with reduced mobility. These homes would have a positive transformative impact on the lives of ten people.”
Galway City Council is due to make a decision on this planning application by November 22.
