Housing organisation adds 1,500 homes to portfolio
Birmingham-based Housing 21 has made its largest acquisition yet, expanding its portfolio with the acquisition of 1,567 properties from fellow Birmingham organisation Midland Heart.
The deal includes 23 schemes and brings over 1,600 new residents and 137 employees under Housing 21’s management.
Housing 21 now manages over 10,000 Extra Care properties, alongside its existing 14,000 Retirement Living homes.
Tony Tench, deputy chief executive for Housing 21 said: “We are delighted to welcome our new residents and employees to Housing 21 in what represents the biggest acquisition in Housing 21’s 60-year history. Acquisitions are a key part of our growth agenda; in the past 18 months, we have purchased over 970 properties from other landlords and are still committed to developing up to 400 new Extra Care and Retirement Living properties every year.
“As some housing associations are choosing to re-focus on general needs, Housing 21, as a specialist provider of housing for older people, is keen to acquire properties and ensure they remain a positive choice for residents, providing the safe, quality and affordable homes they deserve.
“Through acquisitions such as this, residents can feel reassured they are moving to a specialist provider of Extra Care and Retirement Living, who is entirely focused on meeting their needs. It also means these properties are retained to support the growing population of older people not just now but in the future.”
Housing 21 is a not-for-profit organisation providing Retirement Living and Extra Care for older people with modest incomes.
Operating in 215 local authority areas across England, it manages over 24,000 properties and delivers more than 49,000 hours of social care each week.
Founded in 1935, Midland Heart provides affordable homes across the Midlands and helps over 70000 people live independently.
Kris Peach, managing director of Extra Care, said: “To reach 10,000 Extra Care properties is fantastic but to do so in our 60th anniversary year is symbolic as we demonstrate our commitment to providing quality services to more older people.
“Extra Care provides residents with the opportunity to live independently for longer with the support and reassurance of on-site Care Workers who are available 24/ 7. This allows couples with differing care needs to remain together and helps to create communities that tackle social isolation and loneliness.
“As we increase our presence across England, we are giving more older people more choice and control over their future and will continue to identify growth opportunities. This acquisition complements our existing portfolio, ensuring we can continue to grow to meet the needs of both new and current residents.”
