Project Launched To Transform Ħal Kirkop Convent Into Affordable Co-Living Accommodation

Minister for Housing and Lands Owen Bonnici, together with the Affordable Housing Foundation, announced the Foundation’s first co-living residential project, which will take place in the heart of the Ħal Kirkop community.

The project will create a new opportunity for people who want to live independently and affordably, while still benefiting from the support and sense of belonging that a community offers.

A convent in the village of Ħal Kirkop will be renovated and adapted into a co-living residence. The residence will be designed to provide residents with the private space and independence they need, while also giving them access to a number of shared spaces and facilities. These spaces will be professionally managed to ensure a safe, organised and high-quality environment.

A consultation process with the Ħal Kirkop community has led to the inclusion of a night shelter for elderly local residents, 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 places the person and the community at its centre. We are giving new life to this convent in Ħal Kirkop to create a co-living space that offers affordable housing, independence and a sense of belonging. This is a concrete example of how we can make use of 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, said that the concept of co-living does not only address loneliness, but also helps to build community. “While cooperation strengthens solidarity within the community, it also gives residents the opportunity, while living in this building, to plan their next steps in life when it comes to housing,” said Michael Pace Ross.

Foundation Chief Executive Jake Azzopardi said the project aims to show how existing buildings can be given new life and a new purpose to meet today’s social and housing needs. He explained that this is only the beginning, as in recent weeks the private sector was given the opportunity to take part in similar projects. He announced that several entities with vacant or partially used properties had shown interest in the public call for similar initiatives.

When the co-living residence in Ħal Kirkop is completed, with an investment of €1.6 million, it is expected to benefit 15 people, while it will also include a night shelter and a clinic.

#MaltaDaily

Photo Source: DOI - Kian Bugeja