Fairhive Homes has unveiled its first ever new-build independent living housing scheme, which it has delivered in the village of Waddesdon, Buckinghamshire.
The Anstey Court development comprises 16 independent living flats for residents aged 60 and over.
Fairhive is offering priority to applicants who are downsizing from a larger property.
The housing association says it has ensures the new properties have been built to high sustainability standards, with all flats heated by air-source heat pumps.
This development is also Fairhive’s first independent living scheme to be fitted with electric-vehicle charging points.
Fairhive is aiming to deliver around 1,000 new homes within a 30 mile radius of Aylesbury for those in housing need as part of its 2020 to 2025 programme.
All new homes provided by Fairhive will aim to achieve an EPC B (Energy Performance Certificate) rating or higher.
The flats at Anstey Court have achieved an EPC rating of A, the highest rating possible, the first Fairhive development to achieve this rating.
The project has been developed through a partnership between Fairhive, Buckinghamshire Council, and Homes England.
Fairhive received grants of £1.2m from Homes England and £160,000 from Buckinghamshire Council towards the building of Anstey Court.
The partnership also extends to Thame and District Housing Association, whose independent-living scheme adjoins Anstey Court, and with whom Fairhive have worked to deliver an extended complex of homes for older people in this location.
‘Sets the standard’
Matthew Applegate, chief executive of Fairhive Homes, said: “Anstey Court is significant in that it sets the standard for independent living for the older resident in Buckinghamshire.
“It allows them to live in an attractive new flat that fits their needs perfectly, and is more cost effective to maintain.
“Residents can receive assistance, when they need it, from the support teams at Fairhive, but otherwise their independence is always respected.”
Mark Winn, cabinet member for Housing and Regulatory Services at Buckinghamshire Council, said: “We are pleased to have worked in partnership and to part fund this new scheme with Fairhive Homes, which offers many benefits to people over 55 who are considering their next move.
“This scheme delivers much needed housing units at social rent levels making a move much more attractive and affordable.
“Social rent levels are 50% of market rent, whereas usual affordable rent is up to 80% of market rent.“
He added: “Downsizing into a development like Anstey Court works for many people who may no longer want or need to live in a family house.
“And it helps us to deliver our strategic priority of encouraging people who are over the age of 55 living in family size social housing to move to quality, high-specification homes, freeing up their current homes for families in need.”
Image: Thames and Valley Housing Trust CEO Martin Mellors and Fairhive Homes CEO Matthew Applegate
Read next: Blackwood Homes and Care appoints new CEO
Are you a social housing professional? Sign up for a FREE MEMBERSHIP to upload news stories, post job vacancies, and connect with colleagues on our secure social feed.
