Redaccion
THE BILBAO CITY COUNCIL EXPANDS THE ETXEA GAZTETU PROGRAM TO NEW AREAS TO ALLOW OLDER PEOPLE WHO SHARE THEIR HOME WITH YOUNG PEOPLE
- The Etxea Gaztetu program, led by SURBISA, allows residents of Bilbao to apply for these grants in their intervention areas to meet the demand of the neighborhoods.
- Etxea Gaztetu aims to improve the homes of older people looking to alleviate loneliness, as well as share them with young people in need of housing.
- Therefore, in addition to Bilbao La Vieja, San Francisco, and Zabala, the Etxea Gaztetu program is expanding to include Casco Viejo, Bº De la Cruz, Irala, Zazpilanda, Uretamendi, and Uribarri.
- The grants are targeted at older people living alone and will be up to 9,000 euros.
- SURBISA will assess the needs or deficiencies of the housing and select the most suitable people based on the characteristics and demands of both parties.
- The cohabitation will last up to 12 months, with the homeowner receiving a monthly payment of 350 euros, and the cohabitant being a student or young professional around 35 years old.
The Urban Regeneration Area of the Bilbao City Council has decided to extend the opportunity to apply for financial assistance from the Etxea Gaztetu program to all SURBISA intervention areas.
This program is carried out with the assistance of the Kuvu company and aims to both rehabilitate the homes of older people who are willing to share their home with younger ones, as well as cover the service of mediation and supervision of cohabitation.
This program began as a pilot project in October 2024 in Bilbao La Vieja, San Francisco, and Zabala, and at the moment, the applications submitted in this neighborhood are being studied. Requests for information from other SURBISA intervention areas have also been received for the same program. Therefore, the Area has decided to respond to this demand and also include residents of the other areas where SURBISA operates, including Casco Viejo, Bº De la Cruz, Irala, Zazpilanda, Uretamendi, and Uribarri.
After receiving their applications, SURBISA will assess the needs or deficiencies of the housing and provide assistance for its rehabilitation. They will also select the suitable person for cohabitation and carry out continuous monitoring and mediation for the maximum 12-month duration of the program, with the technical assistance of the social enterprise Kuvu.
The grants target individuals over 60 years old who live alone and own their primary residence, who will receive, in addition to the grant, a monthly rent of around 350 euros.
On the other hand, tenants will be young students or professionals under 35 years old seeking affordable and peaceful accommodation, aiming to live independently and have a motivation to cohabit with individuals from another generation in a trusting and harmonious environment. The selection process outlines the expectations for cohabitation, the boundaries, and the aspects to consider in finding the ideal candidate.
The stay will last for one year and will also have the option to extend it if both parties are satisfied with the cohabitation.
“The total cost of the cohabitation support service will be covered for one year by the Etxea Gaztetu Program, both for the older individuals and the young cohabitants. However, to access it, they will have to undergo a prior analysis conducted by the program’s technical team,” added Jon Bilbao, who, along with the technical and social team of SURBISA, has the technical support of the social enterprise Kuvu.
For more information or to make an application, you can contact the program through the website www.etxeagaztetu.eus and the SURBISA telephone, or at the email address contacto@etxeagaztetu.eus.
ABOUT KUVU
The social enterprise Kuvu was founded in 2019 by the young entrepreneurs Eduardo Fierro, Jon Ander, and Haize Trueba with a dual objective: to improve the quality of life for older people living alone and to increase the offer of affordable rental rooms to young people.
Through its platform, Kuvu connects older people with young people seeking accommodation, promoting mutual support and shared housing. Kuvu is present nationally, has facilitated over 18,000 nights of cohabitation, and collaborates with public institutions such as the Basque Government, the Government of Navarra, among others, and has been recognized as a good practice by various foundations and entities.
ABOUT THE URBAN REGENERATION AREA AND SURBISA
The Urban Regeneration Area promotes comprehensive intervention in the city, addressing urban, social, and environmental issues. This includes not only urban rehabilitation but also relevant aspects such as mobility, public space, economic revitalization, social cohesion, education, culture, employment, etc.
On the other hand, SURBISA is the municipal company that promotes the rehabilitation of buildings, homes, and premises in Bilbao that must be carried out by their owners. Its intervention areas include Casco Viejo, Bº De la Cruz, Bilbao La Vieja, Bº Ferroviarios, Irala, Zazpilanda, Uribarri, and Uretamendi.
SURBISA aims to ensure that the built heritage is safe, accessible, efficient, and offers quality housing, as well as to facilitate cohabitation in its areas of influence. The work of SURBISA aims to improve quality of life, generate activity, and create economic wealth that benefits the city.
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