Co-Housing Israel (CHI) was selected as the first prize winner of the Glickman Prize, being awarded $10,000, for its work in developing affordable housing solutions for healthy aging in Israel.
The Award Committee issued a statement saying:
“Senior housing is an important issue on the public agenda. The Committee was impressed that the project reflects the empowerment of an aging population that aspires to solve its own problems – those involved in the project are activists – who work, initiate, produce and, in fact, set an example of active aging.”
“The project promotes aging within a community, and is aimed at a population that the government does not address (one that is not weak and in need). This contributes to optimal aging.”
CHI’s work was honored at the 2021 Aging Ecosystem Drivers Conference, organized by Aging IL and jointly sponsored by the JDC Eshel (Community Transformation), the National Insurance Funds, the Hive (Israel’s Social Hub), and the Ashoka (Social Entrepreneurship) branch in Israel. The conference was attended by about 300 policymakers, academics, social entrepreneurs, technology experts, programmers and social activists – all of whom are committed to promoting innovative social enterprises that improve the quality-of-life of the senior population in Israel.
Judy Labensohn, CHI Board Chairperson, expressed deep appreciation to the panel of judges, the Aging IL community and the Glickman family for the great honor bestowed on the Co-Housing Israel Association. “We are thrilled that the hard work by seniors to develop housing solutions for seniors is being recognized and supported.”
The mission of Co-Housing Israel is to create affordable, intentional, cooperative housing communities in Israel for those aged 50+. These are communities that support optimal aging in a single-generation or multi-generational environment.
Inspired by Israeli innovations in community-building, by new models of urban co-living, and by the growing co-housing movement in Europe and North America, CHI is a registered cooperative and managed by its members. CHI is working to establish co-housing communities around the country.
The prestigious Glickman Prize for Innovation was founded by Joseph “Chickie” Glickman and is managed today by his daughter Elaine Galinson. The award recognizes initiatives that strive to empower Israeli seniors and improve their quality of life.
The funds from the Glickman Prize will help defray development costs as the membership continues to grow and CHI works to change the landscape of affordable senior housing options in Israel today.
For more information: cohousingisrael@gmail.com or Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/479676772172695
