Burnage Lane Extra Care scheme, which has been in waiting for 5 years due to viability uncertainty, has now been given the go ahead, bringing vital homes and services to those who need it most in Burnage.
Aimed predominantly at people over 55 years of age, the Southway Housing scheme will cater for a mix of care needs, as part of the Manchester-wide ‘Extra Care’ programme building social housing across the city.
Until late 2018, the government had planned to cap housing benefit for social housing and supported accommodation at local housing allowance (LHA) level. The move, which left the sector in uncertainty for two and a half years, is attributed by the National Housing Federation to an 85% decline in new homes being built for vulnerable people*.
The new Burnage development will consist of over fifty 1 and 2 bedroom apartments, a community café, communal gardens, residents lounge, a treatment room and a reception, and be built on land previously used as an industrial laundry site.
With completion expected by the end of 2020, Karen Mitchell, Chief Executive at Southway Housing, said:
We are committed to providing more social housing in Manchester. This scheme was 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.
Karen Mitchell
Burnage Councillors Azra Ali and Bev Craig, said:
We worked hard with Southway and residents, to ensure this development was right for Burnage, as well as a great place to live. People tell us they want good quality housing they can age well in. We have invested in schemes like this across Manchester and we are excited this will provide quality homes for local people.
Azra Ali and Bev Craig
If you are interested in the scheme and want to apply or find out more contact us.