Quality Design Attracts Downsizers

Halton Court Kidbrooke Village James Berrington Consultant Housing, Health, Care & Support

Halton Court

Halton Court – key facts

• Not extra care • Housing led scheme (not social care led) • LA choice-based lettings • No care need requirements • For people 55+ • Comprehensive facilities • Rents/charges - no more expensive that Viridian’s sheltered schemes • 170 units, 150 rent, 20 shared ownership

Halton Court

• Kidbrooke Village • Local authority strategic vision • Design vision - The HAPPI factor • Housing association vision • Learning points

Halton Court Kidbrooke Station & Bus Stops Kidbrooke Village Kidbrook Village Hub Amenities including grocery stores, ATM, post boxes, pharmacy and doctors surgery

RB Greenwich

• 2007 –Housing Strategy for Older People – Most people want to stay in own home, – Lots of people in large family homes no long suitable – Mainstream housing favoured over sheltered • Strategic approach to current & future needs – Review of existing schemes – Gaps identified – Improved relationships with RPs – Early meetings with developers & RPs to plan new provision

RB Greenwich - Action

• Developed 3 new Extra Care schemes (161 units) – None before 2009 • Decommissioned 7 sheltered schemes (240 units) – High % bedsits & shared bathing facilities • Bringing 16 sheltered schemes up to date •

Developing new senior living homes

New senior living schemes

• Consultation found: – Older general needs tenants wanting to downsize – Some wanted 55+ housing but not sheltered – Community accessible facilities welcomed – Home ownership options welcomed • Built: – 7 x 2 bed bungalows – 22 1 & 2 bed rented homes –

170 units at Halton Court

• Building: – 165 unit scheme with Viridian + 63 other units

Downsizing prioritised at Halton Court • Priorities for the new homes: – Council tenants over 55 wanting to downsize from family home – People being rehoused from decommissioned sheltered schemes – RSL tenants over 55 wanting to downsize • Waiting list for new senior living schemes

Learning from HAPPI

• Quality Design • Circulation & Common Areas • Building Layout • Lifestyle Opportunities • Community Interface • Inreach/Outreach • Care Continuum • Outdoor Amenity: Balconies/Terraces • Energy Efficiency & Sustainability • Space Standards; Storage; Light & Airy • Lifetime Neighbourhoods: Accessibility

Viridian’s approach

Concept Service model Quality design

Viridian’s approach

• Active development prog – chose Halton Court • Wanted a new older people’s housing product • Liked the concept – had visited HAPPI schemes in Europe • High quality design seen as a lesson from the past and mitigating future risks • Fits with Viridian’s service model – Most older people fear moving to a care home & they don’t want extra care schemes that are destined to be self-contained care homes in future.

Viridian Managing the risks at Halton Court • Housing scheme, not a care scheme • Scheme management service • Commercial approach to facilities management – Village Hall – Café & restaurant – Hairdresser – giving residents choice • Care ready • Bringing the community into the scheme

Future expansion

• Viridian are expanding the model: – 165 unit scheme at Royal Arsenal, Greenwich (65% leasehold - no grant for development) – Two other schemes in development • RB Greenwich identified key success factors: – 1 to 1 support key – Comprehensive package for moves – Affordability – Balancing numbers of 1 bed & 2 beds

Case study learning points

• Understanding the downsizing market – 33% over 60s want to downsize (Demos) – Housing LIN SHOP resource pack tools for analysing local supply & demand • Developer led scheme – Involve manager/owner as early as possible • Age-friendly design embedded – Get HAPPI !

Quality design attracts downsizers • Design Quality: Attractive Homes • Choice & Variety • Staying in Control • Lifestyle Alternative • Location & Connectivity • Affordable • Care Continuity • Support for moving

James Berrington Consultant Housing, Health, Care & Support [email protected]

07989 968 955