A veterans’ self-build project in Plymouth that provides 25 new affordable homes has been completed.
The Stirling House Project, which houses six veterans in need of a new home, is a partnership between LiveWest, Plymouth City Council, and veterans’ charity Alabaré.
The development, based on the site of a former residential care home at Honicknowle Green, has seen a number of previously homeless military veterans involved in the construction of the self-contained affordable homes to rent.
The project has helped the veterans with employment, learning skills for life and helping them settle into their new homes.
The Stirling House Project began in 2021 after Plymouth City Council selected LiveWest as a partner to redevelop the site. They joined forces with Alabaré who provide a range of accommodation and support for ex-Armed Forces personnel who have struggled in their civilian lives, and who run several veterans’ self-build schemes across the South and South West.
All of the 25 homes are occupied through social rent to provide support for households in high need and have air source heat pumps installed to improve the homes’ energy efficiency and help resident’s save on their energy bills.
Of the 25 homes, 19 are one and two-bedroom flats together with two, three and four-bedroom housing. The large four-bedroom house has also been designed as a wheelchair adapted property, helping to address the significant shortage of such properties across the city.
The support provided by Alabaré has been funded thanks to grants from Plymouth City Council, LiveWest, Veterans’ Foundation and Army Benevolent Fund. The development also benefited from a £1.7m grant from Homes England, the Government’s housing and regeneration agency.
