This week, Housing 21 completed its biggest ever acquisition of 1,567 properties from Midland Heart.

The leading not-for-profit provider of Extra Care and Retirement Living completed the purchase of 23 schemes from Midland Heart welcoming over 1,600 residents and 137 employees to Housing 21. As a result, Housing 21 now manages over 24,000 Extra Care and Retirement Living properties across 650 schemes in England.

Tony Tench, Deputy Chief Executive of Housing 21, explains why acquisitions form a key part of the organisation’s growth strategy – and why more general needs landlords are looking to Housing 21 to support older people.

(Pictured: Tony Tench, Deputy Chief Executive of Housing 21)

“Over the past 18 months, Housing 21 has grown by over 10 percent, generated largely by acquisitions with the transfer of over 2,500 properties from other general needs landlords. Whilst Midland Heart signifies our largest transfer to date, it is representative of an established growth strategy that positions acquisitions firmly at its centre.

“The UK’s older population is increasing. It’s predicted that over the next 15 years, the number of over 75s will rise from six to nine million so the need for specialist older people’s housing has never been higher. Yet in so many situations, these properties are being managed alongside a wider portfolio of general needs housing where landlords are trying to balance meeting the specific needs of older people whilst delivering value for money for all their residents.

“As some housing associations are choosing to re-focus on general needs, Housing 21, as a specialist provider of housing for older people, is keen to acquire properties and ensure they remain a positive choice for residents, providing the safe, quality and affordable homes they deserve. Alongside this, we remain committed to developing up to 400 new homes each year.

“This combined approach of acquisitions alongside organic development helps to ensure existing housing opportunities for older people are protected whilst we continue to bring forward new homes. This provides ongoing security for our current residents, who can be reassured we remain committed to meeting their needs whilst providing increased opportunities for older people seeking housing with care or support in the future.

“The benefits of this are far reaching. For our residents, we continue to ensure high property standards and are pleased to report that all of them are at Energy Performance Certificate C or better; a benchmark we achieved eight years ahead of the government’s 2030 target. This reflects our commitment to always ‘do the right thing’ for our residents as we continue to invest in our properties with over £40 million spent on upgrades during 2023/ 2024.

“Our devolved operating model means that at a local level, residents can make decisions that directly impact their scheme, but with the reassurance of a nationwide specialist landlord able to provide the investment and support to ensure homes remain, safe, secure and affordable.

“For the housing sector, acquisitions ensure homes dedicated for older people remain in operation, offering purpose-built accommodation with on-site care and support.

By ensuring there are positive housing choices for older people, this can help to free up general needs housing, which is often under-occupied by older people and could better meet the needs of families or larger households.

“During Housing 21’s 60^th anniversary year, we have been reflecting on our past achievements and as we celebrate this latest acquisition, we are proud to be providing more homes for older people not just now, but into the future.”