Minister for Housing and Lands Owen Bonnici together with the Foundation for Affordable Housing announced the Foundation’s first co-living residence project which will be built in the heart of the community in Kirkop.
This project will create a new opportunity for people who wish to live independently and affordably, while continuing to benefit from the support and sense of belonging offered by the community.
A convent located in the village of Kirkop will be renovated and adapted to become a co-living residence. The residence will be designed to provide residents with the necessary private space and independence, while having access to a number of common spaces and facilities. These spaces will be professionally managed to ensure a safe, organised and quality environment.
A consultation process with the Kirkop community has led to the project including a night shelter for the local elderly, as well as a clinic that will be open to the public. These facilities will further strengthen the role of the residence as a space that not only provides affordable accommodation, but also responds to the wider needs of the community.
Minister Owen Bonnici said, “This is a project that puts the person and the community at the centre. We are giving new life to this convent in Kirkop, to create a co-living space that offers affordable accommodation, independence and a sense of belonging. This is a concrete example of how we can use the spaces we have to create more opportunities and, at the same time, strengthen our communities.”
The Administrative Secretary of the Archdiocese of Malta, Michael Pace Ross, mentioned how the concept of co-living not only addresses the problem of loneliness but also helps to build community. “While co-living strengthens solidarity in the community, it also gives residents the opportunity to plan their future steps in their life journey when it comes to housing,” said Michael Pace Ross.
The Foundation’s CEO Jake Azzopardi said that this project aims to show how existing buildings can be given new life and purpose to address today’s social and residential needs. He explained that this is just the beginning, as in recent weeks the private sector has been given the opportunity to participate in similar projects. He announced that there were several proven entities, which have vacant or underutilized properties, that showed their interest in the public call made to carry out similar projects.
When the Co-Living residence in Kirkop is completed, which is being built with an investment of €1.6 million, 15 people are expected to benefit from it, while there will also be a night shelter and a clinic.
