More adapted homes will be built and improvements made to existing homes as part of the Royal Borough of Greenwich’s five year housing strategy for people with learning disabilities.
Developing housing which better meets the needs of ageing residents and a more personalised approach are among the pledges made. The learning disability housing strategy 2017-2022 was developed from the findings of a report the Council commissioned from Golden Lane Housing to review the current housing on offer and consider what housing is likely to be needed in the future.
People with learning disabilities who live in existing housing provision, their families and Learning Disability MPs from the Greenwich Learning Disability People’s Parliament are among those who have been involved in the development of the strategy which was approved at the Cabinet meeting on 24th January.
Councillor David Gardner, Cabinet Member for Health and Adult Social Care, said: “Good quality housing is crucial to supporting people with learning disabilities achieve their outcomes and live the lives they want to lead. This strategy will ensure that people with a learning disability in the Royal Borough of Greenwich have a greater say on how and where they live, can access the same opportunities in life as everyone else and increase their independence.”
A housing brokerage service to provide dedicated advice, information and guidance to people with learning disabilities and their carers has already been established off the back of the report’s findings that more people with a learning disability with more complex needs will require housing in the future. Further strategy consultation dates will be announced shortly.
Councillor Averil Lekau, Cabinet Member for Housing and Anti-Poverty, added: “This strategy builds on the Council’s commitment to people with learning disabilities by ensuring we have sustainable, good quality homes for people with learning disabilities in the years to come.”
The learning disability strategy will help inform the Council’s full housing strategy which is expected to be available for consultation later this year.
John Verge, Head of Development at Golden Lane Housing, commented: “We’re delighted the Cabinet has approved the housing strategy for people with a learning disability. Working together with Royal Greenwich, people with a learning disability, their families and other organisations, the strategy has been co-produced to enable people with a learning disability to live in good quality homes that meet their needs. We are looking forward to continuing this important work through the implementation plan.”
