ByJonathan Kalmus, Jonathan Kalmus
Elderly local people and families struggling with affordable housing are being invited to register interest in a new £2.3 million social housing project.
The Manchester Jewish Housing Association has revealed further details of its redevelopment of Mamlock House, the former home of Zionist organisations in north Manchester which MJHA bought last year.
Proposals are to build 11 family houses, as well as nine flats that could be for elderly or young single residents. It represents a marked move away from the sheltered housing that MJHA has traditionally provided.
Initial pre-planning meetings with Manchester City Council have brought support for the proposal but a full community-wide consultation will finalise the make-up of the housing estate. A partnership involving welfare charity, The Fed, and the strictly Orthodox Agudas Israel organisation will also steer the redevelopment towards catering for mainstream and Charedi markets.
Another major factor is funding, of which three-quarters will come from MJHA after the sale of two housing schemes.
But MJHA executive director John Gryckiewicz said a benefactor would alleviate the need for a loan for 25 per cent of the £2.3 million needed.
“This is a self-funded project for the community, we are not attracting grants. It is an important site within the Jewish community which needs to be redeveloped. Further along the process, we will use Mamlock as a show stage so potential residents can view our plans as part of a community consultation process.”
Families are being asked to register their interest in the scheme, which will also help assess need.