An innovative scheme has seen the former scout hut in St Asaph transformed into two specialised bungalows.
Cymdeithas Tai Clwyd and Denbighshire County Council have developed two bungalows including specialised equipment such as rise/fall kitchen units, specialist treatment room/en suite with powered changing plinth and level access shower.
This move also means that two council/housing association houses have been made available for other families on the waiting list.
The applicants were prioritised through the Specialised Housing Group consisting of housing services, occupational therapy and housing association staff working together. The bungalows have achieved a Code Level 3 for Sustainable Living and include solar panels. Crucially, the properties will be affordable in terms of rent and running costs such as gas/electricity.
Councillor Bill Cowie, local council member and vice-chairman of Denbighshire County Council, said, “This development is an excellent example of what can be achieved by collaboration. There are a number of positives coming out of this project, most importantly the fact that an eye sore has been removed and replaced with a state of the art building. Cymdeithas Tai Clwyd, Denbighshire County Council and others involved in the Specialised Housing Group should be congratulated and very proud of this achievement.”
Cllr David Thomas, Lead Cabinet Member for Regeneration and Housing, said, “Schemes like this are very encouraging and, in the current climate, where funding for purpose built properties is very limited, it is great to see alternative solutions being found to help local people get their independence in affordable housing.”
In 2009/10, the Specialised Housing Group assisted 19 individuals and families through various housing solutions such as finding suitable properties in the private sector, purpose build properties and using adapted council/housing association properties.
