Elder Housing in the old YMCA

[Roland Jeffery]

Among the discussions about a future use of the Fann St YMCA nobody has yet suggested using it for elder housing.  It would be ideal for this purpose.  There is an ageing population in both Barbican and Golden Lane who could benefit from low-support housing (what is sometimes known as Part 1 or Category 1 housing) which does not have a high level of care but a warden on site. 

Tudor Rose Court next to the Y already does a similar thing and apparently finds plenty of custom.  As the Y is empty there is an opportunity to introduce multi-tenure scheme with leasehold for the elderly alongside rental units, perhaps on different floors. I guess you would get four compact flats a floor, so thats a useful contribution to the City's provision.

[Chamberpot Bowell & Pond]

Second that. Convert the old gym for socialising in, give everyone a key to the conservation garden next door (which I've yet to see anyone actually sitting in). Unlikely to be too many drug busts or crazy late-night "happenings". Might even encourage my mum to move in.

Would be valuable, and add to the width of our demographic, which is only a good thing.