Abdelkader Tahrioui is the initiator of the Aafia residential community and works for the Attifa Foundation, which offers daytime activities and support to elderly migrants. Harry Moeskops, former member of ENIEC, is chairman of Woonsaem, the Knowledge Center for Communal Living for Elderly Migrants. A conversation with both of them about communal living for elderly people with a migrant background.
It took quite a bit of time and energy. But for a year now, thirteen elderly people have been living in the Aafia residential community in Utrecht. The residents have a lot in common: they were all born in Morocco and have been living in the Netherlands for a long time. “The residents are very happy there,” says Abdelkader. “They do a lot of activities together.” He notices that the residents really see each other as family and that they help and support each other.
The name of the communal living project is : ‘Aafia’ and it means well-being. Living in this type of housing clearly contributes to the well-being of the residents. “And that’s so nice to see. It makes it all worthwhile.”
Abdelkader sees that residents dare to do more than when they lived in their old homes. “They feel stronger and more secure because they have a safe base.” Their children also find it reassuring that their parents no longer live alone and that there are others nearby who keep an eye on them.
Bottlenecks
Setting up this communal living project was not easy. Finding a suitable location proved to be the biggest bottleneck. Eventually, space was found through the Woonin housing association. Harry Moeskops recognizes this bottleneck. “That’s the case almost everywhere.”
Finances are also an obstacle. Harry explains: “A meeting space also needs to be furnished. At Aafia, residents pay €5 per month as a contribution to the rent. In other residential communities, a major challenge is that the members of the residential community have to pay the rent for the communal space together. This leads to additional costs for the residents of around €30 to €40 per month. These costs are not eligible for subsidy. Everyone can see that this is far too much money for elderly people on a minimum income, but so far there is no viable and sustainable solution.
We cannot turn to the housing association or the municipality for help with furnishing the communal space. We are always dependent on a willing fund.”
“Moving costs money anyway,” Harry continues. “Many elderly people with a migrant background have limited financial resources and are therefore reluctant to move.” Limited financial resources are not the only reason, says Harry. They also dread all the administrative tasks involved. “Moving is a major undertaking. It involves a lot of paperwork. Not every elderly person has a large network.” Abdelkader and his colleagues at the Attifa Foundation therefore also offer help and guidance with the move. And yes, that takes many hours and also free time.
Preventing loneliness
One of the reasons for starting this type of housing for Moroccan seniors is to prevent social isolation. Abdelkader: “I can see that this has been successful. That gives me a lot of satisfaction. I would start a newcommunal living project again in a heartbeat. There is a great need for communal living for seniors with a migrant background.” That is also Harry’s experience. Through WoonSaem, he has helped develop various residential communities in the country, such as an Iranian residential community in Amsterdam, a multicultural community in Hoofddorp, and Abdelkader’s residential community.
In 2023, the Manara communal living project for elderly people with a Moroccan background in Amsterdam is completed. More than 50 people are on the waiting list for this residential community! Harry says that another residential community will open its doors in Amsterdam before the summer, this time for residents who mainly have Ghanaian or African roots or an affinity with African culture. This residential community, which has 20 rental properties, is called ‘House of Harmony’. Care organization Akwaaba will provide care to residents who need it.
“This group is part of a larger residential complex owned by the De Alliantie housing association,” says Harry. “Residents of this residential group live scattered throughout the complex, but they do have their own meeting space. Housing associations are increasingly recognizing the importance of this type of housing.”
Affordable housing in your own neighborhood
Abdelkader has experienced this too. “I recently had visits from housing associations in Utrecht, and they were really interested.” He has learned a lot from the process of setting up the residential community and can now apply this knowledge to his next project. For example, he knows that it is important to make clear agreements with the housing association about what it can and cannot do.
Within a housing association, for example, you have to deal with barriers. “Without the help of WoonSaem, it wouldn’t have been possible,” says Abdelkader. “Together, we made it happen, and I am grateful for that. And when I see how happy the rsidents are, I can only be very satisfied.”
Harry and Abdelkader wholeheartedly agree: two things are important for a communal living project for elderly people with a migrant background: affordable housing and a familiar neighborhood. They are committed to this. “I am sure that living in this type of housing saves costs,” says Abdelkader. “People solve a lot of problems among themselves and are less likely to turn to professionals.” Harry nods and adds: “I see people blossom after moving to the communal living project. And it is also a driving force for the neighborhood.”
If you prefer to read the article in Dutch, click here and you wll find it on the website of ZorgSaamWonen
🙏🏽 Yvonne Witter
