Choice Housing Ireland joined the Mayor of Ards and North Down, Aderman Bill Keery and partners, including Praxis Care to celebrate the completion of a £500k refurbishment project. The transformation of Kimberley House from a traditional residential home into self -contained supported living apartments, which is funded by the Housing Executive’s Development Programme Group, marks a new chapter for tenants of this scheme.
Choice jointly manage the accommodation along with Praxis Care and together this partnership provides housing and support for people with learning disabilities.After a complete transformation of existing accommodation, the new scheme will create a more inclusive living space to help meet the diverse needs of people in the Newtownards area.
The original scheme was a 13 bed residential home, which has now been remodelled into seven new self-contained flats for supported living. The £563K investment included new windows, doors, new heating, full redecoration and site improvement works. The build project was led by an internal Choice Building Surveyor team with contractor Hetherington and Painting Contractors.
Michael McDonnell, Group Chief Executive of Choice said:
“The investment in this supported housing scheme highlights Choice’s ongoing commitment to improving our current social housing stock, providing long term sustainable solutions to housing across the region.
“Working alongside our partners, Praxis Care, we were able to identify areas that would not only support tenants in their physical living space but also contribute positively to their long term mental health and well-being using a more inclusive living space”.
Andy Mayhew, Chief Executive Officer of Praxis Care added:
“The new Kimberley House retains the security and support of the old model while increasing privacy, helping tenants develop their independence and continue to be active members of their local community. That combination of individual living space, peer contact and specialist support has a positive impact on well-being.
This project, which has been developed over several years, has involved very close partnership working between Praxis Care and Choice. Both organisations have also relied heavily on the consistent support of the South Eastern Health and Social Service Trust and the Northern Ireland Housing Executive, to see this become a reality. I also want to pay tribute to staff from all the organisations, the tenants and their families, in managing the transition from residential to supported living so well. Partnerships are vital to ensuring the long term viability of support services to those in social housing across the region.”
Remarking at the Official Opening, Mayor of Ards and North Down, Alderman Bill Keery, said:
“I’m delighted to officially open Kimberley House after the completion of its substantial refurbishment. This £563,000 investment for self-contained supported living apartments in Newtownards will ensure its residents can enjoy safe and comfortable accommodation that will benefit their health and wellbeing for many years to come.”
Other partners involved in this project include VB Evans Quantity Surveyors and R&H Design Mechanical and Electrical.
