Gorton site set for 106 extra care homes
Southway Housing Trust has started work on extra care social housing in Abbey Hey Lane, Gorton, two years after putting the scheme on hold due to Government benefit cuts.
Until late 2018, the Government had planned to cap housing benefit for social housing and supported accommodation at local housing allowance level, which Southway said left the sector in uncertainty and raised challenges around the project’s viability.
Grant funding of £7m has been secured from Homes England to build the 106 extra care apartments, which will be a mix of 43 one-bedroom and 63 two-bedroom flats available for social rent to over 55s.
The scheme will also include a bistro to the front of the building which will be open to the public, a beauty salon, private car park and a communal garden.
The main works are due to be completed in summer 2021.
Southway is working in partnership with Rowlinson Construction, Pozzoni Architects and Nicol Thomas on the project.
Karen Mitchell, chief executive of Southway Housing, said: “Southway is committed to providing more social housing in Manchester. This scheme is our second large extra care project this year, born from a great need and demand for extra care facilities in the area, and will create a great community and environment tailored for older residents, whilst freeing up other much-needed homes for young families too. We are very happy and proud to be starting work on this hugely necessary scheme.”
Southway Housing Trust is a not-for-profit housing company based in Didsbury. It owns and manages almost 6,000 homes across Burnage, Chorlton, Didsbury and Withington.
We have put our names down for one of these, this is what we need in our area having lived in this area for over 30 years a safe environment for over 55
By Michelle Evison