Central Beds Council launch consultation on accommodation for adults with additional needs
The strategy also includes how the Council plans to develop more provision for short breaks
Central Bedfordshire Council has launched a twelve-week public consultation on a strategy to deliver new and improved accommodation for adults with care and support needs over the next five years.
It aims to improve the lives of people aged 18-65 who have needs arising from physical or learning disabilities, mental health conditions or autism.
The draft strategy has been developed after extensive engagement with disabled people and their families to understand their aspirations and priorities.
During the consultation period everyone will have a further opportunity to shape the strategy before it is finally approved by the Council early in 2022.
Councillor Carole Hegley, Executive Member for Adult Social Care said:
“Not surprisingly, people with care and support needs have very similar aspirations to the rest of us – to have a place they can call home and to be part of their community, along with choice and control over how they live their lives.
"In order to achieve this, people need the right types of accommodation and the right types of support. This strategy sets out how we aim to deliver this – using Council investment alongside that from other organisations such as housing associations and property developers.”
As well as permanent homes, the strategy also includes how the Council plans to develop more provision for short breaks to provide respite for family carers.
Councillor Eugene Ghent, Executive Member for Housing & Assets said:
“Although we have a good range of accommodation, we have growing demand and some of it is reaching the end of its useful life and will need to be replaced. That is why the strategy sets out an ambition to increase the amount of accommodation by 20% over the next five years.”
The strategy will set the scheme for investment and development in this area for the next five years and, beyond so the Council is keen to hear the views of as wide a group of people as possible. For more information and to take part in the consultation, visit the councils website.
The consultation is open until Tuesday 23 November 2021.