Habinteg delivers 18 accessible homes, employment and training to Walsall | Latest news

Habinteg Housing Association has officially opened a development of 18 new accessible apartments in Walsall, which provided employment and training opportunities for local people.

The new homes are located at Lawson Court, a modern block built by construction company J. Harper & Sons Ltd, who used a team of local suppliers and subcontractors for the development.

Energy efficient design

The new scheme, which includes six fully wheelchair accessible properties, is now home to local disabled people and families. The development stands on the site of the former Mali Jenkins House care home, which has been closed since 2017.

Completed in September 2024, Lawson Court has an energy efficient design by Acanthus WSM Architects that will help reduce energy bills for its residents, glass balconies on its upper floors, and features a landscaped communal garden and a parking court.

Catalina Ionita has recently moved into a wheelchair user home on the new development. She said she will take full advantage of all the facilities: “I feel incredibly happy. The flat has wider doors, a height-adjustable hob – which makes cooking so much easier now - and a wet room with no obstacles in my way.

“I’m really grateful to be living here as, now, I can live a truly independent life.”

Opportunities for locals

Habinteg’s Head of Development, Matthew Kelly, said: “Disabled people typically struggle for a long time to find suitable housing so I’m pleased that six of the properties in this new development are fully wheelchair accessible, and the other 12 are designed to be adaptable to people’s needs.

“The scheme has delivered much-needed affordable, accessible homes to the neighbourhood. The great design by Acanthus WSM Architects has made a positive impact to the area by breathing new life into a building that wasn’t contributing to the community.

“This new build by J. Harper & Sons has not only provided homes for people, it’s also brought employment and training opportunities to local people,” Matt added.

Council praises development

Councillor Adrian Andrew, Associate Leader of Walsall Council, said: “It’s great to see another successful housing project delivered, bringing the former Mali Jenkins House care home back into economic use.

“On behalf of Walsall Council, I am delighted to support the Lawson Court development, which not only provides new homes for local people, but has boosted the economy through the use of local suppliers, and work experience opportunities for Walsall students, generating great social value for the borough.”

Throughout the scheme’s construction, J. Harper & Sons achieved its target of 80% locally employed suppliers and subcontractors. In addition, the company worked closely with Walsall College to provide work experience site visits for Level 1 Bricklaying students.

Antony Rees, Group Managing Director of J. Harper & Sons Limited, said: “We’re delighted to see Lawson Court completed and occupied. Transforming a brownfield site into much-needed affordable housing has certainly benefited the local community by providing homes as well as employment opportunities.

“We have thoroughly enjoyed the project and working collaboratively with the local Walsall community.”