Construction company wins £9m extra care contracts |
12th April 2010 |
A North Wales construction company has secured two contracts to build new extra care facilities in Denbighshire and Gwynedd, worth £9 million.
K&C Construction has been commissioned by Cymdeithas Tai Clwyd to build the developments at Ruthin and Bala to support the housing association’s commitment to providing assisted living schemes.
K&C Construction was appointed to carry out the work as part of its involvement in the UNDOD framework, a consortium of Welsh housing associations dedicated to providing affordable homes throughout Wales. Funding for both contracts will come from a grant provided by the Welsh Assembly Government.
Due to complete in April next year, the development in Ruthin will comprise of a new build two storey, four bedroom extra-care facility along with a three storey, 17-bed extension to an existing care home. The second development, Cygod Y Coleg in Bala, will provide 30 beds over three storeys and will be ready in June 2011.
“This is a major coup given the current economic climate,” said Chris White managing director and founder of the K&C Group. “We have extensive experience of the Housing Association sector and the team worked extremely hard to secure the contracts so, clearly, we’re delighted to have been awarded the work.”
The benefits of assisted housing are becoming more apparent as the percentage of the population living longer continues to grow. According to the 2001 census, the number of pensioners in Wales aged 85+ is set to rise by a third by 2020, meaning that there will be as many people in their 60s as in their 20s and 30s. The subject is causing such concern that it is tipped to be a key issue for all parties in their general election campaigns.
In contrast to traditional care homes, residents of extra care developments enjoy far more freedom in retirement, having the luxury of access to care on demand while being able to live independently within a communal facility. Rent and maintenance charges for the services and home for life philosophy are within allowable benefit rates, enabling everyone to take advantage of the initiative.