Delivery group appointed as plans move forward for new extra care homes in Leeds

Leeds City Council’s plans to provide new extra care homes across the city are moving forward. Following a procurement exercise, they have appointed a delivery group made up of Ashley House Ltd, Morgan Ashley LLP and Home Group Ltd. Together, these businesses will deliver and manage four sites across the city and provide up to 240 new extra care homes.

The four sites delivering extra care housing schemes will be in Holt Park, Seacroft, West Ardsley and Woodlesford and will have a minimum of 35% affordable rented homes at each scheme. Building work is set to start on the first site towards the end of 2019, with all four sites completed and operational by spring 2021.

Extra care housing is primarily for people who have care and support needs as well as a housing need. The scheme helps to alleviate social isolation through access to shared facilities, dining and activities and also provides on-site access to 24/7 emergency or unplanned care which is an additional feature that separates it from other forms of retirement living.

Extra care provision has also shown to result in savings for individuals and the council as it costs significantly less to deliver than residential care, even when recipients have medium to high care and support needs.

The development of the four sites makes a significant contribution towards the Leeds Vision for Extra Care housing, which involves the council working with partner organisations to construct more than 1000 units of extra care housing by 2028, in order to meet the growing demand for this accommodation type and population forecasts in the city.

Leeds City Council’s executive member for communities Councillor Debra Coupar said:

“We are dedicated to tackling the critical undersupply of extra care housing in the city and delivering high quality homes for older people in several locations across the city. This programme is just a part of the great improvement journey Leeds is on and it is brilliant that we have now appointed the delivery group and that we are in a fantastic position to move forward. I look forward to seeing the plans becoming reality.”

Leeds City Council’s executive member for health, wellbeing and adults Councillor Rebecca Charlwood said:

“Building extra care housing is an important part of our ambition to make Leeds the best city to grow old in. These homes help tackle loneliness and social isolation while giving people the care and support they need and maintaining their independence. I'm pleased to see the council delivering new care services for older people in Leeds and I look forward to seeing the building programme progress.”

Dr Nichola Stefanou, Director of Clinical Practice at Home Group, said:

“We are delighted to be part of the delivery group that will work towards helping the City Council achieve its Vision for Extra Care housing ambitions.

“Home Group has a strong track record in delivering specialist care across a range of areas and to service-users with a variety of needs. We are currently delivering 426 services with NHS trusts and local authorities, supporting over 23,000 people.”

For media enquiries:

Becky Stubbs, Leeds City Council press office

Tel: 0113 378 6199Email: rebecca.stubbs@leeds.gov.uk