SCOTLAND’S housing minister Paul McLennan MSP has officially opened Kingdom Housing Association’s new £8.9 million dementia-friendly development in Alloa.
Townhead House features 60 affordable new homes, all for social rent, which have been designed to support Clackmannanshire Council’s sustainable ageing policy, created to help people live independently in their own homes for longer.
Project architect Bracewell Stirling worked with Architecture and Design Scotland and University of Stirling’s Dementia Services Development Centre to achieve the highest level of dementia-friendly accreditation available. Open plan layouts, full height glazing and appropriate use of colour, materials, signage and landscaping have helped create a safe environment that is easily navigated.
Paul McLennan MSP said, “We want everyone to have a safe, warm affordable home that meets their needs. This dementia-friendly development will allow people to live independently in their home for as long as possible. Funded by £4.9 million Scottish Government Charitable Bond donation, the 60 affordable homes, all built for social rent in Townhead House, will also contribute to our target of 110,000 affordable homes by 2032 of which at least 70% will be available for social rent.”
In addition to the Scottish Government funding through the programme managed by Allia C&C, the balance was funded by Kingdom and a ‘substantial’ contribution by Clackmannanshire Council.
Townhead House was built by Campion Homes and features a range of housing designs. The homes meet Housing For Varying Needs, Secured By Design Gold, and Kingdom Housing Association’s own design standards.
Kingdom Housing Association chair Linda Leslie added, “Townhead House is an important development in the approach to housing design and I’m proud that Kingdom is part of it. We know that high-quality affordable housing changes lives, but we also know that lives can change suddenly and unexpectedly. If that happens, worrying about whether or not you’ll be able to stay in your own home and remain part of your own community is added stress.”
