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Television personality and artist Timmy Mallett is to perform the official opening on Tuesday of a new £2.7 million housing development specially designed for individuals with additional support needs.
The development by Tenants First Housing Co-operative, near the centre of Aberdeen, has 13 flats on four floors. The flats all have special features tailored to meet the needs of each resident.
Commenting on the Development, Sandy Murray, Chief Executive of Tenants First, said: “This new development will provide 13 much-needed homes for adults who have varying forms of learning and physical disabilities.
“The opening will be a particularly exciting day for them. For many of these newest members in the co-operative, this will be the first time they have had their own home, having previously lived in care homes.
“Now they will have their own homes, near the centre of Aberdeen, that have been specifically designed to meet their needs.”
The new development has been jointly funded by Tenants First, the Scottish Government and Aberdeen City Council.
The new residents will also benefit from a 24-hour support service provided by Inspire. Helping to enable independent living, residents can call the support workers using a call system and there are automatic sensors to summon assistance when needed.
The new houses have been designed to have particularly low running costs. High levels of energy efficiency are complemented by a renewable energy heating system. Heat pumps extract heat from the outside air and use it to warm the flats through underfloor heating.
The development has two common areas and a secluded garden where the new residents can get together to enjoy social activities.
Timmy Mallett has a particular interest in supporting special needs’ communities in Aberdeen as his brother Martin lives and works in Camphill’s Newton Dee community in Bieldside, Aberdeen.
Tenants First Housing Co-operative is Britain’s largest housing co-operative. It has more than 1,380 properties in Aberdeen, Aberdeenshire, Angus and Glasgow. Tenants First is a non-profit making organisation owned and run by its members for the benefit of members.
(GK/KMcA)
