Extra housing boost to support independent living

Twenty five local authorities will receive £80m funding for innovative Extra Care Housing schemes, Ivan Lewis, Under Secretary for Care Services announced today.

He was speaking at the regional dignity road show in Doncaster on 21 July, which also saw the launch of CSIP Networks' new Dignity Network website.

Working closely with the Housing Corporation and CLG, and following the launch of the Government's National Strategy for Housing for an Ageing Society, Lifetime Homes, Lifetime Neighbourhoods, earlier this year, Mr Lewis highlighted how these new schemes will offer a significant boost to the housing with care sector. He pointed out that they will supply 2,035 new units of extra care housing for people with a variety of long-term conditions, social care and housing needs.

He said: "This represents the largest ever growth in Extra Care Housing for older people and vulnerable people funded by the DH and is a measure of our commitment to supporting innovative new developments that offer increased housing with care choices for people."

The successful projects include a small scheme for younger people with disabilities, extra care schemes that will be designed to accommodate people who develop dementia and/or sensory impairments, through to larger retirement villages offering a mix of tenures to meet a range of local lifestyle choices and care needs.

Jeremy Porteus, Chair of the Care Services Improvement Partnership Housing Group, added:

"We are increasingly seeing commissioners, developers and providers identifying Extra Care Housing as realistic housing option and, importantly, having access to on-site care 24hours a day to support the health and well-being of a diverse range of people with dignity".