Housing
Solutions for
Independent Living
Our mission
Housing Solutions for Independent Living (HS4IL) project aims at identifying and take stock of relevant experiences and practices highlighting the contribution of digital technologies in the housing environment that operate as a lever and catalyst for autonomy, independent living, self-determination and social participation of persons with disabilities.
It’s a right enshrined in Article 19 of the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities — yet for many, it remains stubbornly out of reach. Indeed ensuring the right of persons with intellectual disabilities to live independently and participate fully in the community is a core obligation under the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD, article 19). However, despite this legal commitment, significant structural barriers continue to restrict access to adequate, affordable and accessible housing across Europe.
The housing crisis isn’t helping. With social and affordable homes in short supply and an ageing, often inaccessible housing stock, people with intellectual disabilities often find themselves trapped in a maze of inadequate options, long waiting lists, and costly compromises. Add in the chronic shortage of in-home support staff, and the journey toward autonomous living becomes even steeper.
But amid these structural hurdles, a quiet revolution is taking shape — one powered not only by innovative housing models, but also by technology.
Tech as a Door-Opener
Digital tools hold the potential of being catalysts for independence. From smart home features that make everyday tasks simpler and safer, to platforms that connect people with services, support networks, and remote assistance, technology is helping transform homes. As researchers Tassé, Wagner and Kim noted, technology can enable people to “accomplish things that would have otherwise been impossible.”
Yet despite the promise, digital solutions for independent living remain on the fringes — innovative, yes, but still treated as experimental. Professional practices are fragmented across Europe. Knowledge is scattered, and costs sometime clash with the ultimate goal of offering affordable living solutions. Scaling up what works remains a challenge.
A New European Project Takes Off
Against this backdrop, a consortium of organisations active in disability, housing and social innovation has launched a new three-year initiative: HS4IL – Housing Solutions for Independent Living, an Erasmus+ KA2 project coordinated by APEMH Foundation (LU), which enjoys a very committed partnership composed of organization belonging to the disability and housing sectors from 5 EU Countries: ARFIE (EU), Housing Europe (EU),), OpenGroup (IT), AMPANS (ES), Live Foundation (FI), and CERCINA (PT).
Their mission is ambitious: identify what works, analyse emerging innovations, and co-create practical tools that make independent living not just an aspiration, but a standard.
The HS4IL team is grappling with some of the sector’s most pressing questions:
· What kind of housing solutions that are both affordable and accessible?
· Which technologies genuinely support autonomy, not just convenience?
· How can these solutions be introduced at scale — and sustainably?
To answer them, the consortium is mapping promising practices across Europe, uncovering both the barriers and the opportunities that shape the digital transition in housing for people with disabilities. The initiative responds to growing European policy priorities, including the EU Disability Strategy 2021–2030, the European Pillar of Social Rights, and the forthcoming European Affordable Housing Plan. HS4IL aligns closely with EU ambitions to foster inclusive digital transitions, strengthen community-based support systems, and promote deinstitutionalisation.
Over the next three years, HS4IL Partnership will:
1. Identify and analyse housing practices that incorporate digital tools and technologies supporting autonomy, self-determination and community participation of persons with intellectual disabilities.
2. Map barriers and enabling factors for the adoption of digital solutions within housing environments, through structured engagement with stakeholders from disability services, housing providers, technology developers and public authorities.
3. Co-produce a European inventory of innovative practices, consolidating tools, technologies and support models that can be replicated and scaled across diverse regional contexts.
4. Develop and apply a Living Lab methodology, enabling co-creation, user involvement, and systematic testing of innovative housing support approaches.
5. Formulate recommendations to strengthen digital skills among persons with disabilities, to ensure that technology adoption is equitable and empowering.
6. Establish a community of practice to support professionals in integrating digital tools effectively into independent living support frameworks.
A Long Journey — And a Necessary One
With Europe’s housing landscape under pressure, the urgency is real. HS4IL is not just another project; it’s a strategic attempt to rethink how housing, technology and human support intertwine — and how they can finally align to deliver on the promise of Article 19. It’s also a way to explore synergies between housing and services providers and encourage strategic and effective partnership between professionals in both sectors, so as to guarantee the most suitable and adapted offer to their users. For the partners involved, this is more than a work programme. It’s a mission that will keep them busy for the next three years… and very likely well beyond.
On the agenda: Which tools can support autonomous living for individuals? What types of housing are targeted within the framework of the project? What are the roles and responsibilities of each partner? These discussions were complemented by a guided tour of the Limpach site, a workplace facility provided by APEMH for people with an intellectual disability.
We have followed the work with the formal parts “Portuguese formal solutions for independent life”, with the presentation of the main work developed by three portuguese organisations that have a recognized work implemented:
- Collaborative Residencies by Dr. Ricardo Antunes (CERCIG) and Dra. Suzel Santos (CERCICAPER)
- RAI, CAVI, SAVI / Dra. Rosa Couto e Dra. Filipa Leça (CERCIEspinho)
Those partners have presented the different houses type that are provided in Portugal in line with the portuguese legislation. We have explored the difference between each kind of offer and also the advantages and disadvantages known by each kind of house.
We had also time for the presentation of each partner’s organisation: ARFIE, OpenGroup, CERCINA, Housing Europe, AMPAS and Live Foundation. This presentation coordinated with the PwD contribution turns the program very rich in terms of shared information, because in this context of meetings between organisations, it was the first time that we had their personal participation.
This meeting had also time for the presentation of the first draft results provided by the questionnaires spread all over Europe partners, organisations supporting people with disabilities and independent home living, turning more organised the life areas that we will focus on on the future work.
The afternoon of day 1, was marked by the eletricity problem that have affected Portugal, Spain and a part of the Europe, so we have visit CERCINA’s RAI, presented by a user, but we didn’t had opportunity for more.
We had also the opportunity to decide and design the future tasks and responsibilities. At the moment of this meeting the tasks were in line with the supposed, without needs of rethink the work, just needing to keep following the track.
TheHS4IL (Housing Solutions for Independent Living) project brings together experts in housing, education, and technology from various countries to develop solutions that support more independent living for people with special support needs.
The project focus groups and the international project meeting held in Finland provided valuable insights into everyday life in supported housing, the potential of technology, and the competencies required in the future.
The programme of the project meeting in Finland included:
- musical performances by music students from Kaarisilta School
- progress updates from the project’s work packages
- a visit to Helsinki’s new supported housing unit in Verkkosaari
- workshops and discussions on developing housing and technology
- joint networking and cultural activities, such as a traditional Finnish sauna experience and a social dinner at the former home of Finland’s late President Urho Kekkonen Café Adjutant in Helsinki
During the project days, participants shared their experiences, planned next steps, and strengthened collaboration aimed at creating concrete solutions to support more independent living.
The results of the HS4IL project show that building the future of independent living requires:
- accessible and flexible housing solutions
- accessible and safe technology
- strong digital skills and continuous support
- collaboration between education, housing services, and authorities
- safe and reliable digital environments
The project work continues with solutions aimed at making independent living possible, smooth, and safe for an increasing number of people.
The project partners are ARFIE from Belgium, Housing Europe from Belgium, Open Group from Italy, Ampans from Spain, Cercina from Portugal, and Live from Finland.
The HS4IL (Housing Solutions for Independent Living) project meeting took place in Bologna on 25 and 26 May 2026, hosted at the Fondazione Ivano Barberini, Via Mentana 2, bringing together partners and experts for two days of coordinated work and participatory activities.
The first day was dedicated to the Transnational Project Meeting (TPM), involving all project partners: ARFIE, Housing Europe, Open Group, AMPAS, CERCINA, and Live Foundation. During this day, partners worked together to review the progress of the project, discussing the main points outlined in the agenda, including the development of different work packages, ongoing activities, and future steps.
The sessions focused in particular on the state of implementation, the methodologies being applied, and the definition of upcoming tasks and responsibilities. These discussions allowed partners to align their approaches and ensure a shared vision for the continuation of the project.
A key feature of the first day was the organisation of a parallel session, during which participants were divided into smaller working groups. Within this framework, the users of the partner organisations had the opportunity to take part in a dedicated workshop, where they played an active role in the discussion. This moment was especially important, as it gave direct voice to their experiences, needs, and expectations regarding independent living, reinforcing the participatory and user-centred approach of the project.
The day concluded with a plenary session, where feedback from the different groups was shared and discussed collectively, allowing for a synthesis of the main outcomes and ensuring that all perspectives were taken into account.
The second day, 26 May, was dedicated to the Living Lab Workshop, opening the work to a broader dimension of exchange and practical exploration. The programme included contributions from several experts, each addressing specific aspects of independent living and technological innovation.
Among the speakers, Jakub Gerkta presented “Independent Living and Digital Technologies: Vision, Rights, and Opportunities”, focusing on the role of technology in supporting autonomy and rights. Roberto Scano contributed with “Living Labs for Inclusive Housing: Co-Creating Solutions with Individuals with Disabilities”, highlighting participatory approaches and co-design processes.
Eng. Massimiliano Malavasi (AIAS) presented “Digital Tools for Independent Housing: Needs, Solutions, and Practical Applications”, offering insights into the integration of technology in living environments, while Samuele Verucchi (Cooperativa Sole) and Prof. Richard Lang (University of Bolzano) shared their experience with “Bolzano Living Lab – Living Together, Living Better”, presenting a concrete example of social innovation in practice.
In the afternoon, further contributions included Ferdinando Grossi (Wimonitor), who presented digital monitoring solutions for the support of independent living, and Fabio Mantovani, who shared practical experiences combining housing and digital technologies.
Throughout the day, the workshop fostered dialogue between professionals, organisations, and participants, creating a space for the exchange of ideas and the exploration of innovative approaches.
Overall, the two days in Bologna combined strategic coordination and practical co-creation, reinforcing collaboration among partners and highlighting the importance of user involvement, technological innovation, and shared learning in the development of inclusive housing solutions
The Network
