Hounslow Council's Cabinet has approved the commissioning of new extra care housing services, a move set to benefit hundreds of vulnerable residents across the borough.
During a meeting on Monday, March 16, 2026, councillors authorised the procurement process for care and support services for four extra care housing schemes. This will involve an eight-year budget of £38,520,445 for the care contracts and £2.4 million for the catering service at Bristol Court.
The decision aims to ensure vulnerable residents with long-term conditions, frailty, or disabilities can continue to live independently in their own homes with on-site support.
Extra care housing is highlighted as a crucial preventative service, significantly reducing the need for more costly residential care and supported living placements, thereby avoiding substantial future costs for the council.
Councillor Lily Bath, Cabinet Member for Adult Social Care, Public Health and Health Integration, presented the report, emphasizing the benefits of extra care housing in promoting independence and improving quality of life. The average weekly cost per resident in extra care housing is significantly lower than in residential care or supported living, with projections showing potential annual cost avoidance savings of up to £13 million.
The procurement will cover care and support services for Park Lodge (36 units), Bridgewater House (33 units), Bristol Court (94 units), and Greenrod Place (38 units). New contracts are expected to be in place by April 2027 for most schemes. Bristol Court will also see its catering contract recommissioned from July 31, 2026.
While Park Lodge and Bridgewater House will see new contracts in place by April 1, 2027, the care and support contract for Bristol Court is expected to commence from September 16, 2027. The Greenrod scheme will see a direct contract award to Housing 21, the building's owner, with the new contract in place from October 1, 2026.
The rationale behind the direct contract award to Housing 21 for the Greenrod scheme is that they are the owners of the building and maintain control over service providers. Housing 21 has consistently provided a reliable service which also represents value for money and they are rated CQC 'Good'. Following extensive market research, the Council determined that Housing 21 is the only supplier in London to provide the preferred integrated specialist service, as set out in the October 2024 Cabinet Report.
These extra care housing services are designed to support vulnerable residents with long-term conditions, frailty, and/or disabilities to live independently in their own home with care and support on-site 24/7.
The council anticipates significant cost avoidance savings through this initiative, estimated at £13 million annually by supporting residents to live independently and reducing demand for higher-cost placements. This strategic investment is expected to yield substantial financial benefits and, more importantly, enhance the quality of life for Hounslow's most vulnerable residents.
Demand for extra care is growing due to Hounslow's ageing population and an increasing number of vulnerable residents living longer with complex needs. In response, Hounslow Council's Cabinet agreed in October 2024 to the development of up to 200 further extra care units over the next ten years. See the Commissioning of Extra Care Cabinet Report for more details.
