26.09.11 Lettings Double in Two Days at Nottingham Supported Housing Scheme

A housing association is celebrating the success of this week’s open mornings at its new £9m supported housing development in Nottingham, with lettings doubling from 42 per cent to 84 percent in just two days.

Albany House is a new development by social housing group LHA-ASRA and is on the former site of Welland Court self-contained flats for the elderly, just off Carlton Road, St Ann’s. Over 60 people turned out for the open days, enjoying refreshments and joining regular tours of the building, as well as receiving informed advice from LHA-ASRA staff about benefits.

Catherine Dearden-Boyce, Supported Housing Management Officer for Nottinghamshire and Leicestershire and acting joint Scheme Manager, LHA-ASRA, explains: “The response to the open days has been phenomenal. We have had a constant procession of visitors and with 60 of our 71 flats now snapped up, it won’t be long before we’re full. And in just a month and a half since opening!

“Albany House is a stunning new community asset for St Ann’s. It’s also a lovely home for people looking for supported living, whilst retaining as much independence as suits them. We’d encourage anyone over the age of 55 who is considering making the move to supported accommodation to contact us – they’ll receive a very warm and enthusiastic welcome from our team and I’m sure will be knocked out by the high quality of the accommodation. It’s wheelchair accessible throughout and is set up to provide full domiciliary care, if residents require that level of support.”

Albany House includes a mix of 71 one bed and one bed with study, social rent extra care apartments. The complex also includes a new community café and hairdressers which are opening on site in the coming weeks, as well as a communal lounge and activity rooms. It is on the former site of Welland Court self-contained flats for the elderly, just off Carlton Road, St Ann’s.

Resident Pat Barry, a mother of three grown-up children and grandmother to seven grandchildren, ranging in age from one to 29, and with a further grandchild on the way, says: “I’m close to my family in St Ann’s and I’m really enjoying life again. In fact, I see more of my daughter and granddaughter now than I think I have ever seen them! They live just round the corner and pop in almost every day, which is wonderful.

“Where I was living before I moved to Albany House I was stuck in just one room. Now I can go up on the roof balcony and enjoy the sun in my wheelchair, or out into the community garden. We also have a day centre attached to Albany House so I get to meet up with my friends as well.

“What I’m really looking forward to is getting to know more of the residents. There’s a community café and hairdressers on the ground floor of the building and we’ve got a lovely communal sitting room, so I’m sure I’ll soon be making new friends.”

The land has been provided by Nottingham City Council for £1 on a 125yr lease. As part of the project LHA-ASRA also built a 60 space day care centre adjacent to Albany House. This was funded by Nottingham City Council and replaces an existing Nottingham City Council centre that no longer meets modern standards.

Albany House also includes a number of innovative green initiatives, including whole house heat recovery systems, rainwater harvesting, bio-diverse green roof and the building is also connected to the district heating system.

Funding for the development was secured in a joint venture between the Department of Health (£2,920,000), Homes and Communities Agency (£2,930,000), Nottingham City Council (£1,100,000) and LHA-ASRA Group (£2,050,000). The construction contractor was Kier Group.

Viewings of Albany House can be made by prior appointment. Contact Catherine Dearden-Boyce or Estelle Williamson on 0116 257 6888 to arrange a day and time.