New supported living apartments taking shape in Halton
Thirteen new apartments are being developed at Crow Wood Gardens to provide adults with disabilities and health conditions with greater independence and access to appropriate suppo
By Runcorn & Widnes World
A new supported living development is taking shape in Halton, with the first residents expected to move into the purpose-built accommodation from December.
Crow Wood Gardens, on Crow Wood Lane, will provide 13 apartments designed for adults with disabilities and health conditions who can live independently with appropriate support.
The development will include 10 one-bedroom and three two-bedroom apartments.
The larger properties have been designed to provide additional space for a care provider where residents have more complex support needs.
Halton Housing is delivering the scheme in partnership with Halton Borough Council, with AKM Homes responsible for construction.
The development combines accessible housing with care and support, allowing residents to have their own homes while receiving assistance tailored to their individual circumstances.
It forms part of efforts to increase the amount of specialist accommodation available locally and provide alternatives for people whose needs cannot easily be met by conventional housing.
Halton Borough Council's adult social care team visited the development earlier this summer to see how construction was progressing.
Councillor Mike Wharton, the council's executive member for adult social care, said the project would provide more suitable accommodation for adults with disabilities and health conditions.
He said the aim was to give residents the opportunity to live fulfilling and independent lives while ensuring appropriate support was available when required.
Supported living differs from residential care because individuals generally have their own tenancy and greater control over their home and everyday life.
Care and support can then be arranged around the individual rather than accommodation and care necessarily being provided as a single residential service.
For councils and housing providers, developing purpose-built accommodation can also help ensure people with more complex requirements have homes designed around accessibility and long-term support needs.
The three two-bedroom apartments at Crow Wood Gardens are intended to provide additional flexibility where a resident requires a care provider to stay with them.
The scheme also allows residents to remain within their local community rather than having to move further away to find suitable specialist accommodation.
Construction is reported to be progressing to schedule.
The first residents are expected to begin moving into Crow Wood Gardens from December, adding 13 specialist homes to Halton's supported living provision.