21 June 2023
The new Aline Mayrisch residence, an intergenerational housing scheme run by the Luxembourg Red Cross, was officially opened on 20 June 2023 in Vianden in the presence of Henri Kox, Minister for Housing, and Mayor Claude Tonino In total, the residence will be able to accommodate 108 people.
The lack of affordable housing for the most disadvantaged population groups, such as the many low-income and single-parent families, the homeless, refugees and, more generally, people in situations of economic and social insecurity, is a major challenge. In order to actively tackle this problem, the Luxembourg Red Cross has defined housing as a priority in the context of its 2030 strategy. The aim is to create more affordable housing for vulnerable individuals and families. The new Aline Mayrisch residence in Vianden is a concrete example of the implementation of this strategy.
“Our organisation’s mission is to provide an agile and effective response to the housing needs of people who benefit from and are cared for by the services of the various Red Cross departments. This involves developing new forms of housing, as we are doing here in Vianden,” explains Michel Simonis, Director General of the Luxembourg Red Cross. “This intergenerational structure accommodates different population groups under the same roof. This housing project is innovative because it encourages the forging of links, mutual aid and solidarity between generations in the same place, thanks to shared living spaces”, continues Simonis.
The residence comprises a total of 52 housing units: 44 studios and flats are intended for the elderly as part of a Help residence for assisted living, and 8 other housing units are rented out as social housing at affordable prices and are intended for families in need. These families have been referred here by the various Red Cross services or in collaboration with the social services, and will continue to receive individual support.
A third wing, purchased by the municipality of Vianden, will house, among other things, a local Help care centre and a new halfway house. These two facilities will be managed by the Red Cross. This will strengthen the intergenerational dimension of the site and integrate the residence closely into the local life of Vianden. The building is currently still in the construction phase.
“The project for the new Red Cross Aline Mayrisch residence in Vianden fits in perfectly with the Ministry of Housing’s national strategy for affordable housing. I am delighted to be able to subsidise this project to the tune of 75%“, said Henri Kox, Minister for Housing. “It is important to support innovative initiatives like the one in Vianden to find solutions for people who have difficulty finding suitable accommodation.“