Sheltered housing schemes in Liverpool get upgrade

Three sheltered housing schemes for elderly people in Liverpool will be upgraded to provide 24-hour care, the council said.

Liverpool City Council said it would spend £255,000 in 260 Extra Care Housing (ECH) units to give people more independence than residential homes.

Residents will have round-the-clock assistance, their own tenancies and access to communal facilities.

The council said investment was needed due to a increasing older population.

Liverpool Mayor Joe Anderson said: "People in our city are living longer which is great news, but it brings with it additional pressures on services because we have a growing older population who need our help and support.

"We need to make sure we are in a position to respond to the challenges that this will bring and I want us to be able to offer good quality and accessible housing where people can live in safety and comfort but retain their independence."

Liverpool spends almost £62m a year on care for older people, with the Extra Care budget making up £2.3m of the total.