Blaby District Council is supporting a unique development which will provide specialist, supported housing for adults with mental health needs.
Together with Homes England the Council has partially grant funded a scheme to bring 15 one-bed self-contained apartments to Blaby village.
The project is being delivered by developers Pelham working in partnership with Norton Housing and Support and Modus Partnerships.
This is the first affordable supported housing scheme to be brought forward in the District for some time and will meet a demand recognised by the Council.
The scheme has been four years in the making and the Council’s Strategic Housing Team have worked closely with partners to progress the project, including providing evidence of the need for the scheme and liaising with planners in order to make sure any site constraints were overcome.
The funding from the Council and Homes England was instrumental in ensuring the viability of the development.
Councillor Terry Richardson, Leader of Blaby District Council, said: “This is a fantastic example of partners working together to deliver a project which we hope will change the lives of people in the District.
“We have recognised for some time there was a lack of supported accommodation for adults with mental health needs. These apartments should help bridge that gap and we are pleased to have been instrumental in ensuring the development gets off the ground.”
The apartments will be let at social rent and owned and managed by Norton Housing and Support. The Leicestershire-based charity and registered housing association supports adults with mental health needs and women at risk of homelessness.
The site, off Grove Road in Blaby, is Norton Housing and Support’s first purpose-built development scheme. Pelham are working with them as development agents to support this small housing association bring their home-building ambitions to life.
The new self-contained homes will offer residents an enhanced housing management support service, to enable independent living for people in need.
Councillor Les Phillimore, Blaby District Council’s Portfolio Holder for Community, Housing and Environmental Services, said: “We are delighted to be supporting this new housing project which will provide much-needed, supported accommodation for some of the most vulnerable people in our society.
“The scheme is a fantastic example of organisations working in partnership to deliver first-class facilities for our communities. We all look forward to seeing the accommodation completed, welcoming the new residents and to seeing them thrive on their journey to independent living.”
Sue Cowling, Chief Executive at Norton Housing and Support, said: “While Norton has been supporting people with mental health needs in the Leicester and Leicestershire area for over 38 years, this will be our first new build scheme and first development of this size.”
Modus Partnerships have worked with Leicestershire-based IMA Architects in designing the two modern, two-storey blocks that will blend into the local environment and respect neighbouring properties. The development is expected to be completed in spring 2024.
