Ongo has celebrated the completed construction of 79 specialist homes over recent years for those living with physical and learning disabilities by pledging to build another 25 by the middle of 2021.
The housing association recently completed are two new wheelchair-accessible bungalows on Parker Avenue in Westcliff, the features of which include an open-plan living with room for wheelchair use; lowered windows, door handles, and light switches; raised plug sockets; and aheight-adjustable worktop surfaces in the kitchen.
Ongo is now developing 25 apartments for people living with a dementia diagnosis – both in Scunthorpe and both due for completion by next summer – as well as eight new bungalows for local families.
Ongo says its commitment to providing options for all means families can live independently for as long as possible, with the care and support they need.
Other specialist homes that have been built by Ongo include:
• Karen Court, Scunthorpe – eight homes
• Cherry Grove, Scunthorpe – seven homes
• Poplar House, Brigg – six homes
• Holgate Road, Scunthorpe – one bungalow
• Sandhouse Crescent, Scunthorpe – one bungalow
• Marlowe Road, Scunthorpe – one bungalow
• East Parade, Brigg – one bungalow
• Rutland Road, Scunthorpe – one bungalow
• Plymouth Road, Scunthorpe – two bungalows
• De Lacy Way, Winterton – two homes
• Chesleigh House, Gainsborough – 24 retirement living homes
Past success
Jo Russell, who recently moved in to a specialist bungalow, commented: “Because it’s fully adapted for my wheelchair there’s more space, so I can move around freely.
“I can adjust my worktops to cook, wash easily and even my windows are lower so I can see out, which has been great throughout lockdown so I can see some daylight.
“It sounds cliché, but this house has truly changed my life, and not only that, it’s saved it.
“I can’t express how much this meant to me, apart from to say this truly was the light at the end of the tunnel I needed.”
As well as these specially designed builds, all new Ongo homes allow for level access and a large number include in-curtilage car parking to allow for ease of transfer from car, wider staircases, and additional fused electricity spurs to allow for the future addition of stair-lift and enlarged ground floor WCs to allow for future adaption to shower rooms.
Martin Phillips, Development manager at Ongo, said: “Providing a place to live that is suitable, accessible, and allows people to be comfortable in their home is of huge importance to us.
“Knowing these homes have changed or improved the lives of hundreds of our tenants makes us extremely proud, and is something we can’t wait to see more of in the future.
“We are committed to building more specialist housing in the future, so keep an eye out for updates.”
Images: Richard Walker/www.imagenorth.net
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