Residents celebrate settling into new supported living development
30.06.2009
The success of a new, purpose-built supported living scheme, the result of a partnership between Hightown Praetorian & Churches Housing Association (Hightown) and Hertfordshire County Council (HCC), was acknowledged at the official opening of Elara House in Jupiter Drive this week.
The former tenants of Jupiter Drive are now settled in to their 14 individual flats, specifically designed for people with learning disabilities, where HCC support their day-to-day lives. Hightown purchased and developed the Jupiter Drive site at a cost of £2.1 million, with £728,000 support from the Housing and Communities Agency.
The old building was demolished and Elara House built, to provide residents with their own flats including a kitchen, sitting room, bedroom and bathroom. There is also a communal living room, a large kitchen for all, two specialist bathrooms, an overnight room for visitors, office accommodation for staff and a garden with patio areas.
Prior to the move, residents lived in shared flats which meant they had little privacy and could not choose with whom they lived. The building also had no lifts so was unable to meet the mobility needs of some of the residents.
Sue Darker, assistant director learning disabilities and mental health for Adult Care Services, said at the opening “Visiting Elara House and having known Jupiter Drive in the past what struck me most was how happy, content and proud the tenants that I met were with their new homes.”
David Bogle, Chief Executive of Hightown, said: “We are pleased to be able to provide facilities which enable the service users to develop their independence, in partnership with Hertfordshire County Council.”
The rest of the site is now being developed to provide 13 new two bedroom apartments, off Queensway. These will be made available shortly to part-buy and part-rent through shared ownership with Hightown.
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