Benefits

Improving quality of life

  • c.9 out of 10 customers said that their new property improved their quality of life
  • 94% of customers said that their new home is easier to maintain
  • 92.5% of customers would recommend us to a friend
  • 96% of our customers said they feel safe and secure in their new property
  • 83% of customers say there is a sense of community in our developments, compared to 51% of the general public
  • An average of £3,500 heath and social care saving per person, per year when some moves into retirement housing
  • Around 33,500 social events held across 379 managed developments around the country between August 2017 – September 2018
  • Living locally: This form of accommodation helps our residents to stay in their local area near their family and friends, but in accommodation better suited to their needs

Improved health

  • Streamlined health and social care provision: visiting health professionals including doctors, nurses, chiropodists can visit several residents during one visit, which is more efficient use of public services
  • Reduced impact on the NHS: as accommodation is designed for impaired mobility, residents find it easier to return home after staying in hospital and spend fewer nights in hospital than on average for this age group. Most residents move within a five mile radius of their new home so there is no additional impact upon local services
  • Saving money: Specialist housing addresses the reasons why many older people are forced to move into residential care. For each year that someone delays or is prevented from moving into residential care the state saves on average £13,270 per year

Contributing to the local economy

Our schemes provide a significant investment within a local area at no cost to the public purse.

  • On average, each development represents an investment of around £670,000 per year in the local economy by our customers, this is around £125,200 more than a general needs housing scheme
  • Around 60 local companies are employed on a typical development to support our construction team and each scheme creates number of job opportunities once open
  • On moving, most residents free up much-needed family homes, with two thirds moving from homes with three or more bedrooms. This has a knock on effect that stimulates the housing chain and ultimately benefits the first time buyer.

Our developments also help to contribute to the vitality and viability of the local area as our residents typically do their shopping within a mile radius. For example, 80% of our residents use local shops almost daily or often.

New Homes Bonus

Specialist housing for older people also provides significant income for the local authority. As well as increasing council tax, it also qualifies for the New Homes Bonus (NHB). The NHB is a Government initiative designed initiative to reward local authorities for developing new homes.

For a typical development of 40 apartments with an average B and D Council Tax rate of £1,400, this could mean hundreds of thousands of pounds for the local authorities, which is then able to spend this money as they deem fit. For example, it can be invested in new schools, health facilities, parks and other essential infrastructure. This money is also provided in addition to other local infrastructure payments that may be required during the planning process.