OLDER people in Hull who are struggling to find suitable housing could soon get a new home. Housing developer Pickering and Ferens Homes has secured almost £3m to build homes for over-60s in Hawthorn Avenue, west Hull, and in New Bridge Road, east Hull.
The not-for-profit organisation provides more than 1,000 homes across East Yorkshire.
Councillor John Black, portfolio holder for strategic and operational housing at the city council, said: "There continues to be a shortage of housing for older people in the region, so I am sure these houses will be well received by all in the community."
Cllr Black, who is also a trustee of Pickering and Ferens Homes, said he was delighted the funding for the project had been approved.
"Pickering and Ferens Homes has an excellent reputation for building high-quality housing," he said.
"It is fantastic to see the association directly addressing the needs of older people in Hull."
The planning process to develop the purpose-built homes is currently under way and work is expected to be completed by 2018.
Pickering and Ferens Homes is currently building 15 bungalows on the Longhill estate in east Hull after the association secured £585,000 of funding from the Department of Health in 2012.
Construction work on the site in Weaver Grove and Larne Road began in July and is expected to be completed by March next year.
Last year a development of 20 energy-efficient bungalows welcomed its first residents.
The £2.4m housing complex in Askew Avenue, west Hull, was hailed as a prime example of sustainable sheltered housing.
Tom Hogan, chairman of Pickering and Ferens Homes, said the company is committed to providing specially adapted homes for people living in the community.
He said: "It will help the affordability of these schemes and will support our plans for the association's continued growth."
Mr Hogan believes the funding for the 94 new homes signals a promising future for the company and will support the city's neighbourhood regeneration scheme.
He said: "This funding supports our business plans and our ambitions to provide more high-quality homes for older people in Hull.
"We are looking forward to getting started as we continue to address the significant demand for housing for older people in the city.
"Two sites have currently been identified and will be subject to further work and securing planning permissions.
"The new homes will continue to address the council's ambitions to reinvigorate parts of the city after it received funding to complete a number of housing schemes over the past year."
Hull City Council is currently investigating several new schemes to help residents secure affordable homes in the city.
Cllr Black recently confirmed he will look into a scheme that would allow families to buy houses without a mortgage or deposit.
The plans would allow people to purchase a home direct from the landowner and pay in monthly instalments.
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