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JJHT's vision for the Future
10 August 2010With an estimated 3 million more people over the age of 65 in the UK by 2020, “Johnnie” Johnson Housing Trust was has become more aware of the predicted changes in the future housing and support requirements of older people and how this would affect current retirement tenants as well as tenants of the future.
The Trust has been providing retirement housing for the past forty years and knows that expectations of higher standards and more personalised services will continue to rise, especially in relation to their physical surroundings.
As a housing provider “Johnnie” Johnson Housing Trust is excited at the prospects and challenges ahead; with this in mind the organisation set about forming ‘The Future of Older Peoples Housing Group’ which is made up of staff, board members and tenants. The group’s aim is to look at ways in which the organisation can best position itself to rise to the challenge these changes and opportunities will present.
One of the first priorities the group set was to consider the future value of The Trust’s many bedsits. Like many other organisations “Johnnie” Johnson Housing Trust has experienced a decrease in demand for much of its current bedsit properties, but in many popular residential areas they are still valued. So, we questioned - How could “Johnnie” Johnson Housing Trust make bedsit properties in popular locations even more appealing in line with higher expectations?
The answer was to look at our current and future tenants a little closer; mature people that are young at heart, leading independent lifestyles, wishing to be free to come and go as they please who are looking for modern, accessible homes that reflect their lifestyle and personalities.
Tricia Grierson Head of Retirement Housing at “Johnnie” Johnson Housing said:
“Housing older people is core business for “Johnnie” Johnson Housing Trust. As an organisation we are conscious of the impact that the aging population and higher expectations has on us as well as our tenants; we want to be as prepared as possible to maximise the opportunities and minimise the threats.”Our first project has been the remodelling of one of our properties; taking the shell of an existing bedsit and turning it into a contemporary open-planned studio apartment that uses modern material to maximise space and light.
Tricia went on to say:
The aim of this project was to challenge expectations by presenting a new, modern approach to sheltered housing; we hope that the remodelled property reflects this.
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