Blog

Stourbank

Reusing old buildings can be a good alternative to new build when considering housing for people. It is a way to save a neglected building that might otherwise be demolished. The practice can also benefit the environment by conserving natural resources and minimising the need for new materials.

We purchased Stourbank a former health centre building converting, extending and adapting it to create wheelchair accessible housing. The development work was treated no differently to that of a new build. The quality, integrity, materials and works were carried out to the highest standard. The relevant planning permission and consents obtained.

Located in a residential area in the centre of a market town near to Stratford-Upon-Avon and the North Cotswolds, Stourbank offered a great location for someone to live. There was nothing at all wrong with the building other than there was no longer a need for a health centre in the area. This presented an opportunity to give the property a different purpose, and when you have a good property in a good location sometimes it makes sense to give a building a new use.

Converting buildings can help people on housing waiting lists as the property can be completed in a shorter time than a new build. We had been asked to develop housing for wheelchair users and reduced waiting times make a bigger difference to a person’s life when they are living in a home that is not accessible.

The most important factor in all of our housing developments is that the quality is not compromised and doesn’t differ between a converted property and a new build. Sometimes therefore, for some people, a shorter wait for housing is the preferred option.

With a focus on climate change and greener methods, the idea of preservation and sustainability is much more ingrained in our thoughts. When reusing an existing building many of the construction materials are already produced and transported onto the site before we start.

Sadler Court Cheshire

Supported housing offers a lifeline for thousands of people with disabilities. Despite supported housing losing a significant amount of investment Homelife continues to invest in specialist supported housing for people and organisations.

Good quality supported housing can improve people’s health and independence and help ease the pressure on other services, including the NHS, social care and the criminal justice system. It helps people with social inclusion, plays a critical role in preventing ill health or the escalation of a person’s support needs, empowers people to achieve their potential, and provides a place for people to live independently.

The place is very important, and it is equally important that the design, development, and construction of the housing has integrity. Integrity is important as supported housing should not be seen as a quick fix, this is someone’s home and it requires thought and careful consideration to make sure that it works for someone.

Sadler Court is designed so that there is a block of six apartments built over three floors. There are only two apartments on each floor so there is the benefit of a community of six people living within the building but a person only has one neighbour so the configuration is intimate. There is an on-site staff hub and so care staff are only a couple of minutes away when someone requires support.

We give thought to the appearance of our properties so that they blend into the surrounding neighbourhood, and so that they look attractive for people living there. Most critically, to meet current and future need, we ensure high-quality, effective housing is in place for all those who need it in the future. We believe this will ensure that sustainable supported housing is there for everyone.

Homelife’s Limes Place

Limes Place in Colne was developed to provide new supported housing for people living in a residential care home. The care home was due to close and the people who lived there were given the choice as to whether they would like to move to Limes Place. Care staff would move also to help people with a range of support needs to live as independently as possible.

We found a site that was in a residential area and very close to the town centre. We worked very closely with people to develop the plans, and to choose kitchens and layouts; and people visited the site during the construction right through to moving in.

For the first-time people had their own front doors, their own TVs and are they are supported to shop and cook for themselves, stocking their own cupboards and fridges. Limes Place also features landscaped gardens and a large communal area. As people had lived in a residential care home setting for a long time the communal area was provided for familiarity for people who had enjoyed each-others company in the care home lounge. The space has also had a wide range of uses by people since they moved in.

Limes Place provides specialist housing for people with learning disabilities, mental health needs, dementia and physical disabilities.

It was great to have people involved in the development of their own homes and for them to move in and keep the carers who they are familiar with. Already there are some great success stories:

“One person was very institutionalised, after living in residential care for many years. He had developed problems with hoarding and often didn’t leave his room. He is now very happy his apartment is immaculate and he is going out into town daily and now has his own bank account and debit card”.

“Two female friends from the residential care home now have neighbouring apartments and are enjoying going out with support to local cafes and pubs”.

“Going from having one room, to living in my own apartment is liberating. I have all of my favourite shops within a short walk. I love to hear the church bells ringing and get a taste of the history of Colne.”

Homelife’s Ashbrow Heights

“I don’t think the importance of a safe and stable environment can be overstated. In my own case it has been essential.” Tenant

“Housing and mental health are often linked. Poor mental health can make it harder to cope with housing problems, while being homeless or having housing problems can make a person’s mental health worse. The most common housing problems reported are affordability and disrepair. Shelter UK’s research demonstrates the links that exist between housing and health, with housing problems creating a negative impact on the budget of another public policy area, which is already under pressure.“ Shelter UK

Good quality housing is a fundamentally key factor in people’s mental health. People with housing problems are at greater risk of mental health problems and people with existing mental health conditions require good quality housing options. Good-quality, affordable and safe housing is a vital component in good mental health, as well as supporting those with existing mental health conditions.

People with mental health conditions are:

• One and a half times more likely to live in rented housing
• More likely to experience instability with regards to tenancy agreements
• Twice as likely as those without mental health problems to be unhappy with their housing
• Four times as likely to say that it makes their health worse

As a consequence of these diverse needs, housing solutions for people with mental health problems must be equally diverse. This requires taking account of the different type of housing that people need, and how that changes over time.

We developed Ashbrow Heights to be affordable, safe and secure, and most importantly good quality housing. Ashbrow Heights was designed to provide 9 self-contained apartments with 3 apartments on each floor. Within the property the layout is designed so that each person has only one neighbouring apartment. There is also accessible housing on the ground floor. Quite often people see disability in categories and don’t appreciate that some people have hidden disabilities or more than one condition. Sam Renke actress and disability activist recently spoke of having a mental health condition as well as being a wheelchair user.

It was important to us that Ashbrow Heights mirrored the existing housing in the area and so the property was built in stone to blend in with neighbouring Yorkshire homes. The agreement that we have with a Registered Housing Provider means that people living in our housing will be given a long-assured tenancy agreement which will provide them with stability.

Our main aim is for our housing to be aspirational and for the quality to enhance a person’s life. It is all about value and worth, and recognising that mental health can affect anyone at anytime throughout their lives. Good quality housing is a fundamentally key factor in people’s mental health.