More care housing needed

LOCAL MP SUPPORTS INCREASED CARE HOUSING FOR KENT

Hugh Robertson has expressed his support for Kent County Council’s application to the Government for £64 million of PFI Credits allocated in the 2002 Spending Review to provide extra care housing in the county.

The 2002 Spending Review allocated £685 million of PFI housing credits to enable the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister to meet the decent homes target in 2010. Kent County Council, along with the district councils, has put together a bid for £64 million of this ‘pot’ to help many of its most vulnerable residents.

Hugh said: “There is a serious shortage of care housing in Kent, particularly for the elderly and those people with learning disabilities. Due to this shortage many of those who could live more independent lives in their own home have to live in residential care homes.

“I whole heartedly support KCC’s application and have written to the Minister to this effect. My constituency, which is divided between Maidstone and Swale Borough Councils, has a huge need for extra care housing and this money would have a very considerable impact.”