Bidding opens for first phase of fund aimed at expanding housing options for older people and adults with disabilities

The Homes and Communities Agency has invited bids for a £240m capital fund aimed at widening the housing options for older people and adults with disabilities.

The Care and Support Specialised Housing Fund, run by the HCA, will be split into two phases, with the first phase, launched by care services minister Norman Lamb today, focused on affordable housing and open to registered providers. Phase two will focus on market sale homes and run over five years from 2013/14.

The HCA said the funding was aimed at developing innovative in housing opportunities, with local authorities and developers asked to work collaboratively with health providers to identify the best local solutions.

“This may well include using local authority land or existing health facilities to work with the fund to achieve the best value results can be achieved between, housing health, care and support,” the HCA said.

The fund It will be managed as a separate programme to the HCA’s £1.8bn Affordable Homes Programme.

HCA chief executive Pat Ritchie, said: “The HCA is committed to creating opportunities for these groups in our communities, and we are pleased that the Department of Health has looked to the HCA to deliver such an important funding programme.

“This will enable us to apply the principles of linking good specialist housing design with health and quality of life while at the same time getting developers and Providers to develop new innovative ways of delivering good quality housing that addresses local need and demand.

“This Fund recognises the benefits which high quality housing opportunities for both older and disabled people can have in allowing them to remain independent for longer - raising their quality of life and helping reduce the burden on the health service. We are already delivering around 10% of our Affordable Homes Programme for supported housing and housing for older people, and the Fund is a good opportunity to build on this.”

The Prospectus for the Fund, which includes full details on how to bid for Phase One, can be downloaded from the HCA website.

Deadline for Phase One bids is noon on 18 January 2013.

 

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