New strategy aims to plug homes gap for Leeds's growing elderly population
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Leeds City Council has launched a consultation for its five-year Housing Strategy which is due to be finalised in October.
And now it has added housing for the elderly as a new priority of the strategy, to cope with an expected rise of older people over the next 10 years.
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Hide AdThe plans include new extra care housing schemes which aim to plug a shortfall of homes available to older people.
Morley North councillor, Robert Finnigan, said: “This is welcomed. I think the council are turning up late to this issue but there is an increased demand for extra care housing.
“People are living longer. “The type of accommodation for people who need special care, needs to expand.”
It is estimated that by 2021, the number of people living in Leeds aged 50 and older will increase by more than 250,000.
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Hide AdAround 600 extra care homes are proposed as part of the strategy and, though most will be delivered by private companies, two will be developed by the council and include a mixture of units.
The strategy says the plan needs to be in place “to offer older people the help, support and housing options they need to live independently in their place of choice.”
Other parts of the strategy for older people include supporting independence and social inclusion and improving the quality of housing.
Consultation is now underway until September 16.
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