Mayor backs affordable extra care homes so older people can live independently for longer

Mayor Richard Parker has announced a £773,000 investment to help dozens of older people who are struggling to live independently because they cannot afford a home that meets their care needs.

The money is being used to help build 63 extra care homes on brownfield land in Shrewsbury which will be made available to the over 55s at reduced rents.

The four-story complex off Maxfield Drive is being bult by Preferred Homes and will offer more support than sheltered housing but still allow residents to live on their own.

A CGI of how the extra care home development will look

The self-contained flats will have staff on hand to provide any personal care and 24/7 support services that residents might need.

The scheme will include a communal lounge and dining space, a kitchen, multi-purpose flexible rooms and other communal spaces as well as a guest overnight suite, and a bistro/restaurant open to the community.

Outside there will be a garden with an ornamental and sensory communal courtyard, an ‘allotment’ area with raised beds so residents can grow plants and food, and quiet seating areas.

The Mayor said: “Older people often tell me they could live independently for longer if they had a helping hand they could call on sometimes. But too many are denied this option because there are not enough affordable homes that meet their needs.

“That’s not acceptable – extra care homes should be available for all elderly people, not just those who are able to pay a premium.

“I’m focusing my housing funds on building more social and affordable homes for people of all ages, including schemes like this one that can give our older residents a better quality of life in their golden years.”

The scheme, which is classed as 100% affordable, is also being backed by Homes England and is being built on 1.2 acres of unused land in line with HAPPI Principles. This is a design philosophy that focuses on the needs of older people and offers housing that is an attractive alternative to the family home but able to adapt over time to meet their changing levels of care. 

Stephen Sorrell, Social Partnership Director at Preferred Homes said: “The WMCA has long supported the work we’ve been doing at Preferred Homes, first with our scheme in Telford and now with Shrewsbury.

“We’re pleased to partner with local authorities who recognise the urgent need for specialist housing options for older people that not only meet needs for high-quality homes but also provide appropriate care to support independent living.

“This funding will help us to bring forward an affordable housing solution in an area of need and regenerate a site so that it can contribute to the wider community.”

The rent and service charge for the homes will be below 80% of open market rent, with social tenants being nominated by Shropshire Council.

The announcement comes after the Mayor’s mission to build thousands more social rent homes – the most affordable type of housing – received a major boost last month when the government announced up to £1.7bn for the region’s ten year Social and Affordable Homes Programme starting next April.

The Mayor and West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA) want to make the construction of more supported and specialist accommodation, like the Maxfield Drive scheme, a key priority for the money and will invite care providers to bring forward proposals that can help tackle the existing shortage.