MSV Housing’s new ‘HAPPI’ development in South Manchester was launched today by Councillor Bev Craig, Councillor Gavin White and the Mayor of Greater Manchester, Andy Burnham,
Cllr Bev Craig and Andy Burnham buried a time capsule to commemorate the occasion, created by the residents at neighbouring Elmswood Park extra care scheme.
Bowes House offers 40 high quality 1 and 2 bedroom apartments as shared ownership for the over-55s and is MSV’s fourth HAPPI scheme, designed to adapt over time to meet the changing needs of the occupants.
This is the latest MSV development at the award winning 5 acre Stagecoach site (now known as The Depot) in Whalley Range. Working in partnership with Manchester City Council and Homes England, MSV has played a key role in providing suitable homes at The Depot for every stage of life, from young families needing contemporary homes to the older generation wanting to live independently but with support in beautifully designed spaces.
The 40 apartments at Bowes House have been designed and built to meet the ‘HAPPI’ (Housing our Ageing Population Panel for Innovation) design principles, ensuring they are adaptable and accessible with plenty of space, natural light and communal areas. Each apartment incorporates stylish open plan living and large private balconies. There is also a shared roof terrace and beautifully landscaped gardens at the scheme.
The homes are all available for shared ownership, which enables people to buy a share of a property and pay a subsidised rent on the remaining share, a scheme which offers a route into affordable home ownership whilst helping those who may wish to ‘rightsize’.
Delivering the new HAPPI scheme has seen MSV invest £5.6m in Bowes House with £2.2m funding from Homes England.
The entire Depot site now provides over 200 homes including 30 family homes for shared ownership and 72 apartments at extra care scheme Elmswood Park, which offers a high standard of on-site support from housing management staff and a consistent care service for customers who need it, helping to relieve pressure on residential care settings.
Total Investment by MSV on The Depot has been £18.4m with funding from both Homes England and Manchester City Council totalling £9.07m.
Cllr Gavin White, Manchester City Council’s Executive Member for Housing and Development said:
“Having visited this scheme a number of times during the build, it’s fantastic to be here to celebrate the opening and to begin welcoming the first residents into the homes. The Bowes House scheme is a great example of bringing brownfield back into use to meet the housing needs of our residents.
“We understand the need to deliver high-quality affordable homes that are designed specifically for older people in the city, providing an attractive option for housing later in life. In fact, since 2015 more than 700 affordable properties for older people have either been built or are in the pipeline in Manchester - and we welcome the addition of these homes that will be available to Manchester people.”
Charlie Norman, CEO of MSV Housing Group said:
“Starting, living and ageing well is absolutely at the heart of our work in Greater Manchester. Here in Manchester, we are delighted to have partnered with the city council, Homes England and others to provide a range of homes to suit any age. At MSV, we believe in helping customers to ‘rightsize’ into a home that suits their age and time of life – affordable and safe homes and places that promote good health in later life, staying active and building social connections. This latest HAPPI scheme (our fourth) is a fantastic addition to our later living offer, and very much complements the broad range of home and services we provide in this wonderful community. As with the shared ownership family homes and Elmswood Park extra care scheme, we can’t wait to see everyone move into their lovely new homes and wish them all the very best”.
Mayor of Greater Manchester Andy Burnham said:
“I’m delighted that MSV has created these new age-friendly homes here in Manchester. We want to enable residents to live well as they get older, and that starts by making sure that the places we call home are accessible, adaptable, and fit for a variety of needs.
“Bowes House is another milestone in our work towards a permanent cultural shift around housing in later life, where Greater Manchester offers housing options that meet the needs and aspirations of older residents, in communities that promote social connections and support wellbeing and independence.”