Funding of £420,000 has come from the government’s Care and Support Specialised Housing Scheme (CASSH).
It has seen 14 bespoke 1 bedroom flats, plus a facility for on-site support staff constructed by development partner Galliford Try Partnerships.
The units, run by a care provider, also feature the latest technology tailored to the requirements of the scheme and individuals, who have access to a communal garden, lounge and kitchen, allowing residents to socialise and get peer support.
The property is being managed and maintained by Wolverhampton Homes on behalf of the council.
The flats are part of 150 new homes emerging on the Tap Works Development scheme, which sits on 3 derelict locations – the historic former Armitage Shanks Tap Works Factory site, and land on Fifth Avenue and Broome Road.
Councillor Linda Leach, City of Wolverhampton Council Cabinet Member for Adult Services, said: “The council is committed to helping vulnerable people to live independently for longer and build strong, resilient healthy communities.
“The care and support available to residents within the scheme will help in avoiding unnecessary hospital admissions, facilitate timely discharge from hospital and help people to move out of residential or nursing care homes by returning to their community and in many cases, start to feel the benefits of independent living.”
Councillor Peter Bilson, City of Wolverhampton Council Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for City Assets and Housing, added: “The local Tenants and Residents Association has welcomed this supported housing scheme and the wider Tap Works development, which is seeing the transformation of formerly derelict industrial land.
“It also fits with our overarching objective to deliver better homes for all and is making a real difference to the Low Hill community.”
Darren Beale, Regional Director of Galliford Try Partnerships, said: “Galliford Try Partnerships pride themselves on building affordable homes to cater for everyone’s needs. To Partner with City of Wolverhampton Council and to be able to play our part and build the CASSH unit was a real delight. I genuinely wish the tenants all the best in their new home.”
Wolverhampton Homes Tenancy Officer, Susan Sharma, added: “It is important to us that we provide appropriate housing for all of our customers and it has been a pleasure welcoming and supporting tenants into their new purpose built homes. This scheme will be a great benefit to the community in Low Hill and will really help some of our city’s most vulnerable residents to live more independently with easy access to the facilities and support they need.”
The council’s disability and mental health team commissioned its housing development team to deliver the scheme.
