Topic Group: Age Friendly Living
The Topic Group Age Friendly Living is enthusiastically lead by Steve Loveland, Head of Clann, Clúid Housing (Ireland), and Jaana Vanhatalo, Project Manager – Future Senior Housing, Tampere University (Finland). Two professionals in the field of housing and services for older people and the ageing society.
The number of 65 plus people in Europe in 2022 was 21%, a number rising in almost all European countries. Still, in many countries the housing sector is poorly adapted to this demographic change. The trend to reduce collective housing and care options for older people (‘elderly homes’) and increased focus on independent living is seen in many countries.
The Topic Group Age Friendly Living, created in 2024, aims to fill a gap and to build intelligence in the field of housing, care and services for an ageing population.
The topic group will exchange expertise and experiences among the EFL member community and together work on innovative and affordable solutions for this target group.
The topic group organises regular meetings, both via video calls, as well as on-site meetings. For June 2024 it is planned to have a first meeting in Rome and visit the properties of OVER Spa.
You can join this group by writing an e-mail to : info@ef-l.eu.
BUTTON to the Topic Group Folder in Google Drive : https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1vq3W5bH1DbzeJlDrU1bbV8Y31Tf_b9ZX?usp=sharing
Steve Loveland
Head of Clann, Clúid Housing (Ireland)
Topic Group Leader – Age Friendly Housing, European Federation for Living (EFL)
Steve Loveland is the Head of Clann, the age-friendly housing division of Clúid Housing, Ireland’s largest approved housing body. Appointed in January 2024, Steve brings over two decades of experience in the housing sector, encompassing roles in supported accommodation, homelessness services, and social housing.
In his leadership role at Clann, Steve oversees the provision of secure, affordable, and socially inclusive homes for individuals aged 55 and over. Under his guidance, Clann has expanded its portfolio to manage over 1,000 properties across Ireland, with developments designed using Universal Design principles to support independent living and community engagement.
Steve is a strong advocate for resident-centred approaches, emphasizing the importance of autonomy, choice, and dignity in housing solutions for older adults. He has been instrumental in developing strategies that prioritize resident feedback and participation, ensuring that services are responsive to the needs of the community.
As the Topic Group Leader for Age Friendly Housing within the European Federation for Living (EFL), Steve collaborates with international partners to share best practices and promote innovation in age-friendly housing across Europe.
Steve Loveland
Clúid Housing
Jaana Vanhatalo
Project Manager – Future Senior Housing, Tampere University (Finland)
Co-Chair – Age-Friendly Living Topic Group, European Federation for Living (EFL)
Jaana Vanhatalo is a Project Manager at the Knowledge Centre for Real Estate Development at Tampere University, Finland. She currently leads the Future Senior Housing project, a multidisciplinary initiative focused on improving housing conditions and environments for the ageing population.
Through her work, Jaana has gained in-depth expertise in senior housing development, exploring the intersections of ageing, wellbeing, urban planning, and real estate. Her project combines academic research with real-world impact, and fosters close collaboration between universities, municipalities, housing providers, and design professionals.
Jaana is passionate about creating just, inclusive, and age-friendly housing solutions. Her approach emphasizes not only functional design, but also social justice and intergenerational inclusion in urban living environments. She brings a strong commitment to advancing these themes through both local and international networks.
In 2025, Jaana joined the European Federation for Living (EFL) as Co-Chair of the Age-Friendly Living Topic Group, alongside Steve Loveland. She is enthusiastic about building bridges across Europe to share innovations, strategies, and practical knowledge.
“It is important that we make the change together and enhance just and age-friendly housing and living environments. I am really honoured to Co-Chair the Age-Friendly Living topic group with Steve, and I am looking forward to collaborating with you all.”
Jaana Vanhatalo
Tampere University