Preferred Homes has completed its first development in Leeds, comprising 63 self-contained apartments at Hunslet Moor House, over 30 of which are already occupied.
Built on the site of a derelict 1970s shopping precinct, the modern Extra Care Housing apartments at Hunslet Moor House represent a £16.3m investment into the local economy. Made up of 51 one-bedroom and 12 two-bedroom self-contained apartments, all homes are for affordable rent.
Preferred Homes is working in partnership with Leeds City Council via a Nominations Agreement to ensure apartments are filled according to need, supporting the procurement of care in a cost efficient and effective way. Hunslet Moor House will satisfy 50% of the demand for Extra Care Housing within a five-mile catchment, easing the pressure faced by the council as it seeks to provide the best possible care options for local people.
The development features community spaces for residents to socialise, as well as a café, shop and landscaped gardens. Apartments include fully-fitted kitchens and private balconies, and energy efficiency is prioritised through roof-mounted solar PV, with residents benefitting from low utility bills.
Hunslet Moor House will be managed by Preferred Homes’s management partner, Pinnacle Group, which will provide a full management service, ranging from lettings and rent collection to maintenance administration and repairs. Alongside this, the company will undertake caretaking, cleaning and grounds maintenance, as well as capture positive impacts made on residents’ lives through intervention, social activities and programmes.
The Nuveen-backed affordable extra care operator has eight more developments in the pipeline, with its next scheme opening in Telford this spring. Preferred Homes retains ownership of developments, meaning it has a long-term interest in ensuring the places created are sustainable and well-managed for residents. Its homes are designed to meet design principles by the Housing our Ageing Population Panel for Innovation (HAPPI), featuring smart home and assistive technology.
Stephen Sorrell, Social Partnership Director of Preferred Homes Ltd, said:
“It’s a real milestone seeing the Preferred Homes vision come to life in Leeds. Thanks to our strong partnership with the City Council, we’ve been able to realise our shared ambitions for the site and make sure it will be a community asset for years to come. We hope to build on this as we deepen our partnership work with councils and replicate the success of Hunslet Moor House across the country.“At Hunslet Moor House we are achieving the Preferred Homes mission – ensuring everyone has the opportunity to retain their independence and dignity as they age.”
Councillor Salma Arif, Leeds City Council’s executive member for adult social care, active lifestyles and culture, said:
“It’s great to see this new state-of-the-art development begin to welcome its first tenants, ensuring older residents with extra care, support or housing needs can live full and active lives within a safe and healthy environment.
“I’m also delighted that these high-quality apartments will be let for low-cost affordable rent – with tenancies supported by Leeds City Council social work team – highlighting how we’re using our local partnerships to take meaningful action on the national housing emergency.
“Extra care schemes such as this, and the services they offer, further reinforce our ambition for Leeds to be the best city to grow old in and a place where people age well, with its residents able to maintain their independence in the wider community for longer, in an environment that supports mental wellbeing and peace of mind.”
