Supported living housing project is hit by delays
A SUPPORTED living project for the elderly and disabled considered a priority by council chiefs has been delayed, with some would-be residents having to be found alternative accommodation elsewhere.
A total of 43 homes – including nine apartments, 10 houses and 24 bungalows – are being constructed as part of the Hummersea Hills development in Loftus, with care services being provided from a support hub.
It was originally hoped the first new home handovers would take place in the autumn of last year, but there have been delays in completing the properties which have been blamed on the Covid-19 pandemic.
Release dates were then set for early last month, but these were recently put back with a council report citing “difficulties with systems, certification and faults”.
The supported housing project called The View is part of the ‘Redcare’ partnership between Beyond Housing and Redcar and Cleveland Council, which provides bespoke homes with care and support for older and vulnerable people across the borough.
Building work has been undertaken by the construction firm Esh and the company Caremark is due to provide domiciliary care services.
The council has included the planned new community as a priority in the “Meeting people’s needs” section of its corporate plan document.
A spokeswoman said revised handover dates for completed properties had now been provided and the council had allocated a team member to work with Beyond, Caremark and other practitioners involved to support the process.
She said: “There is a clear commitment from all involved to overcome the remaining issues and ensure that people can move in as soon as possible.
“Those people who were allocated a property, but had an urgent housing need were supported to find alternative properties to avoid any issues with the delays.
“Referrals and allocations reduced while the delays were ongoing so there are only around ten people waiting to move now.
“Once the properties are released, work will begin to fill the remaining properties.”
A spokesman for Beyond Housing said: “Supply and labour shortages since the pandemic have impacted on developments everywhere, including at Hummersea Hills.
“We are working closely with the developer and the council to begin making homes available as soon as possible.”
There is a clear commitment from all involved to overcome the remaining issues and
ensure people can move in as soon as
possible.