Extra-care Housing is an increasingly popular alternative to residential care, enabling older people who have care needs to rent or own a purpose built flat. This allows them to lead an independent life, whilst still having the reassurance of a 24-hour care team on-site.
The new complex has been designed to take its place at the heart of the local community. There will be 41 separate one and two bedroom flats – 11 of which will be for sale on a shared-equity basis. The site will have a dining room, a hairdresser and other facilities which will be available to the local community.
Health visitors will use the community rooms to offer services to residents and locals alike, creating a Community Health Hub for the nearby area.
Councillor Bill Bentley, Lead Member for Adult Social Care, explained:
“I think it’s true that as we get older and frailer, it can be challenging to maintain an independent life-style. That’s why Extra-Care Housing is such a good choice for many people. It’s the freedom of living in your own home, with the support of a community – including a 24/7 care team – close at hand.
This new scheme in Peacehaven is special because it will bring the wider community through its doors, with shared facilities which everyone can benefit from.”
Clive Parker, Director of Older People’s Services at Saxon Weald (the scheme’s housing partner) added:
“We can’t wait to start working on this project. With the high numbers of older people locally, this scheme is sorely needed. It will promote independence, dignity and choice – something we would all hope to have as we get older.”
The Extra-Care Housing complex will be built on the site of the former Downlands Resource Centre, in Roundhay Avenue, Peacehaven.
- Planning permission was granted by Lewes District Council on 24 October 2007.
- Building work will commence in spring 2008.
- The grand opening of the site is planned for summer 2009 .
- £6.4m – the cost of the build – has been raised from a variety of sources. East Sussex County Council won £3.2m for the project in a successful bid to the Department of Health. This amount will be topped up by East Sussex County Council and Saxon Weald.
A Community Engagement Group has been set up to keep local people informed of developments relating to the site, as building progresses.
Notes to editors
East Sussex County Council supports Extra-Care Housing as an alternative to residential care.
Extra-Care Housing combines the advantages of a safe, secure environment with the opportunity to maintain older people who have differing dependency levels in the community.
Personal space, privacy and security are key features of Extra-Care Housing
East Sussex has the highest percentage of people over 85 in England and Wales and the second-highest percentage of people who receive a pension. By 2027, 40% of the local population will be over 60.
Saxon Weald provides homes to more than 4,700 households across Sussex and Hampshire, including 1,100 retirement flats and bungalows.
For further information please contact Charlotte Johnson, tel: 01273 481435 or email: charlotte.johnson@eastsussex.gov.uk
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