Retirement living apartments on the way

A West Midlands charity which provides accommodation for retired people has secured funding to develop retirement living apartments in Birmingham.

Michael Blanning Trust Housing Association Ltd will be using the funding to develop 72 apartments in the Moseley area of the city.

The Trust was set up by Mr and Mrs Reginald Blanning as a charitable trust in 1973, in memory of their son Michael who died in a motor accident in 1968. Today the Trust and Housing Association manages three retirement sites across the Midlands including Balsall Common, Moseley and Knowle in Solihull.

Board chair Keith James said: “There continues to be a real shortage of accommodation for retired people, and the Government are keen to address the issue which, as we all know, has an impact on loneliness and ultimately NHS resources.

“This exciting development will offer quality accommodation to retirees in the Moseley area and will include facilities such as multi- functional communal spaces, café bar/restaurant and facilities providing opportunities to enhance the health and wellbeing of the residents.

Additional funding has been provided by Homes England via their Home Building Fund.

Michael Blanning Trust Housing Association is a longstanding client of Barclays. Daniel Whiting, relationship director at Barclays, said: “We are proud to work in partnership with Home England supporting a local charity with a highly experienced board to deliver a high quality retirement scheme to the area of Moseley, Birmingham."

Brian Burt, senior transaction manager at Homes England, said: “Despite the current challenges affecting the country, accelerating housebuilding remains our number one priority.

“We are proud to collaborate with Barclays to deliver the critical mezzanine funding to unlock the site. Homes England is committed to supporting SMEs and this funding helps to diversify the market and enables MBTHA, an established SME retirement home operator, to further its charitable activities and growth ambitions. We are excited to be involved in delivering new sustainable homes for an older demographic where there is growing demand.”

Work on the scheme is expected to be completed by Spring 2023.

Pictured: from left, Brian Burt (Homes England), Rob Kennedy (Michael Blanning Trust Housing Association Limited), Daniel Whiting and Steve Thomas (Barclays)