Home for independent older people approved

PLANS for 700 new homes for older people in Leeds have been given the go-ahead.

Members of Leeds city council's executive board have approved a project that will aim to deliver 700 new homes in 10 locations across the city.

The aim is to give older people the choice to stay in their own home and remain independent for longer.

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The Private Finance Initiative project is planned to link into wider regeneration of the 10 areas and improve services for older people.

The new housing will either be "extra care" providing independent living for older people with security and support when they need it or "lifetime homes" which are suitable for families with pushchairs to older people in wheelchairs.

The design of these homes will significantly reduce the need for costly adaptations in the future.

Consultation with local people will take place over the next few months and will help to inform the proposal to the Homes and Communities Agency, the national housing and regeneration delivery agency for England, which will make the final decision about whether the project goes ahead.

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Coun Les Carter, the council's executive board member for neighbourhoods and housing, said: "We are committed to the provision of affordable, modern homes which are more energy efficient and can be easily adapted to meet people's changing needs throughout their lifetime.

"These homes will give older people the choice to stay in their own homes and remain independent for much longer than they could before.

"This is a fabulous opportunity to invest in housing and older people and we will be consulting with residents about the proposals shortly."

The project seeks to strengthen existing neighbourhood regeneration hopes and focuses on the provision of new, affordable homes with extra care options for older people. They will be mostly two-bedroom flats or houses with a small number of three-bedroom houses.

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