Issue - items at meetings - Seniors Housing Review

Report of Executive Director, Neighbourhoods, Communities & Housing

1.    The Housing Committee agrees the overarching design standards proposed by Design South East.

2.    The Housing Committee agrees the solutions for removing barriers to letting seniors housing properties.

3.    The Housing Committee agrees the proposals for Burwash Lodge outlined in section 9 of this report.

4.    The Housing Committee agrees for further reports on any proposals to be considered on a case-by-case basis.

27.1       The Committee considered the report presented by Peter Huntbach.

27.2      To report on the findings of the seniors housing review agreed at Housing Committee in November 2018 and for the recommendations of this review to be agreed.

27.3      Councillor Mary Mears commented that they felt that pets were needed by seniors to support wellbeing and that pets should be kept to private units not communal areas. It was noted that some schemes do allow pets, and the benefits to seniors were clear. Communal gardens were also supportive of wellbeing.

27.4      Councillor Dawn Barnett noted that Churchill House, Hangleton Road, Hove, would benefit from renovations to support seniors. Access could be improved generally, ramps to access bins and mobility scooter storage area would be helpful. It was noted that access needed focus, along with scooter storage. It was also noted that seniors want to stay in neighbourhoods they know and understand.

27.5      Councillor Peter Atkinson supported improvement schemes as positives for senior living.

27.6      Councillor David Gibson was informed that the quality of the housing stock needs to be improved. A number of studio apartments have been altered to small one beds. Some of the remaining studios have been a challenge for senior living.

27.7      Councillor Siriol Hugh-Jones was informed that the new ideas on how to improve housing stock were being encouraged. A large number of seniors live alone in larger accommodation and could move the smaller units to release properties to others. Seniors have been shown alternatives to current living at Out Reach events held across the city. More seniors are to be encouraged to consider smaller accommodations.

27.8      Councillor Nichole Brennan noted that seniors in private rented accommodation also need support.

27.9      Resolved:

1.    The Housing Committee agrees the overarching design standards proposed by Design South East.

2.    The Housing Committee agrees the solutions for removing barriers to letting seniors housing properties.

3.    The Housing Committee agrees the proposals for Burwash Lodge outlined in section 9 of this report.

4.    The Housing Committee agrees for further reports on any proposals to be considered on a case-by-case basis.