Boost to extra care housing
Plans to give a £15million boost to the borough’s extra care housing offer allowing people over 55 to continue living independently are due to go before cabinet when it meets later this month (December 17).
In a report, members will be asked to consider ground-breaking plans, which would see the council work with private developer, E5, to develop a 100 flat extra care housing scheme in Brierley Hill.
The proposed extra care housing development will come at no cost to the council and will allow people over 55 to live independently with the added benefit of care and support being available as and when it is needed.
There are already four extra care housing schemes in the borough providing rented and privately owned accommodation to residents and tenants who have varying needs of support.
If given the green light, this new development would provide rented accommodation for people who require a higher level of social care support to maintain their independence including people with dementia
E5 who already owns the proposed land for the site, which has existing planning permission for an apartment complex, would cover the cost of the build with Dudley Council taking on long-term lease agreement for the building.
The council would look to appoint a housing association to sub-let the building from the council and deliver the scheme to residents. The housing association would be responsible for paying the yearly rent and taking over any liability.
Councillor Nicolas Barlow, cabinet member for health and adult social care, said:
We are always committed to helping people live independently as we know the positive benefits it can bring, not least in helping to maintain and even boost people’s health and wellbeing.
While we have seen great success in our previous extra care housing schemes, we want to develop the support we can offer so even those with more complex needs can continue to live independently in a dignified way with the comfort of knowing support is on hand.
Not only that, extra care housing does bring financial benefits too as it is a far more cost-effective way of delivering social care services compared to traditional residential care.
The opportunity to work with E5 is really exciting and a win-win for the council. We are increasing our extra care housing stock and helping more people to live independently, with no financial outlay or risk to the council.
I’m pleased this scheme could also contribute to the regeneration plans for Brierley Hill, creating jobs both in the short and long term.