*Please do not make any financial contribution to this cause.  We only need your signature for support!*

I live and own property in an Irish village that suffers housing shortages for seniors who are living in oversized homes they cannot maintain, with no reasonable options to downsize. Yet, there is a solution at our fingertips if we are willing to embrace it. It involves developing a 12-unit sheltered senior housing in the R1 district of our village. This residential complex, complete with a walkway to the village's main square along with a scenic riverfront, and allotments for public use, would serve as a great solution to our housing crisis. 

However, there's a catch. The proposed housing development would require vehicular access through the adjacent public Gort na Null road to the South, currently inaccessible under existing planning regulations. Changing these regulations is essential to proceed with the development that can considerably contribute to solving our housing crisis and enhancing our community landscape.

According to the Irish National Planning Framework, the aging population in rural areas is increasing, with a 20% rise in people over 65 by 2040. This makes the need for senior housing even more pressing (source: Project Ireland 2040).

Addressing this issue is not just about solving a housing crisis. It's about fulfilling many of the village's redevelopment goals, including improving accessibility, sustainability, and community engagement. It's about creating a better future for our seniors, their families, and the community at large.

Please join me in signing this petition, calling for the necessary changes in planning regulations to develop senior housing in the R1 district of our village.