Residents at an Extra Care scheme in Redditch have celebrated their first year under the management of a new landlord by admiring the results of a £444,000 investment project.
In July 2024, ownership of Dorothy Terry House transferred from Rooftop Housing to Housing 21, a leading not-for-profit provider of Retirement Living and Extra Care.
In the months that followed, Housing 21 invested over £440,000 in fire safety and fire alarm upgrades, the installation of an upgraded digital call system and undertook an interior design led makeover of communal areas which were completed in time for a special one-year anniversary party.
Steph Ramsden, Director of Sales, Acquisitions and Partnerships at Housing 21 said: “At Housing 21 we are committed to the provision of safe, quality and affordable homes for older people and continually investing in our schemes to ensure residents live in properties they are proud to call home.
“Following the acquisition of Dorothy Terry House in summer 2024, we began engaging with residents to get their feedback about a design-led transformation of the communal areas to create warm and welcoming spaces for themselves and visitors to enjoy. We were delighted to be able to complete these works in time for the one-year anniversary parties so residents and their families could celebrate this milestone in modern and stylish surroundings.”
Investment work includes complete redecoration of the communal areas, new flooring in the corridors and the lounge area along with the installation of a new kitchen providing communal facilities for residents.
Designers liaised with the residents to understand their furniture requirements which included more comfortable seating, a media unit for the TV in the lounge and local artwork to be displayed in the communal areas. After the initial consultations, design options and mood boards were presented to the residents who voted for their favourite designs before the renovation commenced.
Resident Ruby, who has lived at the scheme for two years, was thrilled with the transformation and said: “I want to feel pride in my home because it’s my sanctuary. I’m very content, I have a beautiful home.”
In addition to the substantial investment that has already taken place, Housing 21 is currently finalising arrangements for a new heating plant room replacement worth £170,000 which will commence in November 2025.
Following the purchase of Dorothy Terry House in July 2024, Housing 21 led on one of the largest acquisitions in the sector with the purchase of 1,566 properties from Midland Heart in September 2024.
