Project Abode opening day

Eight adults with learning disabilities are getting the keys to their own homes as MacIntyre Housing Association has today/this week opened the first of its Project Abode schemes in Buckinghamshire.

The Project which provides independent homes for adults with learning disabilities was formally opened on February 17 in Aylesbury by the town’s Mayor Cllr Graham Webster.

MacIntyre, which is part of the Grand Union Housing Group, currently owns and manages accommodation for around 400 people across the region and has plans to develop six further Project Abode schemes in the county.

Managing Director of MacIntyre Aileen Evans, said: “We and the tenants are very pleased that they will soon be moving back into their refurbished homes. It is important for adults with learning disabilities to be able to live as independently as possible in their own homes. The scheme is the first to provide permanent accommodation to be completed under Project Abode, and we are looking forward to the next stages.

“For the last four years MacIntyre has been working in partnership with Buckinghamshire County Council and the care provider Turnstone and a range of stakeholders to plan the refurbishment of the four flats which were no longer suitable for the needs of residents.

With an investment of £375,000 MacIntyre has converted the scheme into four two-bed flats, catering for the needs of individual residents by providing new kitchens, new bathrooms, a lift, remodeled accessible garden and an extension to the building. There is also a staff office and sleep-in accommodation enabling care and support on site 24hour a day, should the tenants require it.

The tenants, who have been involved at every stage of the redevelopment including choosing some of the interior decoration, will be moving in over the coming weeks.

A large portion, £180,000 of the funding for the landmark scheme came from the Homes and Communities Agency (HCA) and work is now underway to secure funding for future stages.

Ian Steed, area manager at the HCA, said: “Grand Union has created an incredible new place for adults with learning difficulties in Aylesbury, allowing them, their carers and support staff to live as independently as possible. This is just the beginning of similar developments in the area and I’m delighted that the HCA has provided the financial support to make these new homes a reality.”