Almost £17m set to be injected to improve sheltered housing in Wrexham

ALMOST £17m is set to be spent on improving sheltered accommodation in Wrexham over the next five years as demand for retirement housing increases.
Wrexham Council currently has 656 living spaces available for older people across 22 separate schemes in the county borough.
The majority were built in the 1960s and 70s and include a mixture of bedsits and small flats.
But the local authority said most of them are no longer up to scratch and need to be upgraded in terms of design, size, accessibility and energy efficiency.
As the elderly population in the area is expected to increase, a senior politician said it was an important time to invest in sheltered housing.
Cllr David Griffiths, lead member for housing, said: “I am pleased to announce that we have made the commitment to carry out the remodelling and refurbishment of our sheltered stock schemes across the county borough.

Sheltered accommodation at Llys y Mynydd in Rhos is set to be improved as part of an investment by Wrexham Council. Source: Wrexham Council

“This long term programme of investing in our sheltered housing schemes, will help older people remain independent in their own homes for longer.”
An overall sum of £16.9m is set to be spent over the next five years and will be funded through the council’s ring-fenced Housing Revenue Account.
The first two sheltered schemes earmarked to be remodelled are Llys y Mynydd, Rhos and Tir y Capel, Llay with Ellis Williams Architects appointed to manage the projects.
The capital investment was previously approved by members of the authority’s ruling independent and Conservative-led executive board with further upgrades included as part of a 30-year business plan.
A council spokesman said all tenants had been informed of the proposals, which could see some required to move while work is carried out.
They added no costs would be incurred by residents and they would be able to return to their homes once the improvements are completed.

By Liam Randall – Local Democracy Reporter