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Article By: Richard Howard http://www.homecare.co.uk/news/article.cfm/id/1559916/learning-disability-housing-draws-corporate-interest The investment appeal in homes for adults with a learning disability seems to be stronger than ever, highlighted by the success of a £10m charity bond from Golden Lane Housing (GLH). The housing arm of care provider Mencap, GLH has had to stop accepting investments of less than £84,000 due to the staggering level of interest. Investors have already put forward £8m in total, made up of sums of £2,000 or over, since the bond was launched in February with the help of Triodos Bank and the Big Lottery Fund. Claire Donaldson, James Wilkinson, Lizzie Searle and Sarah Gibson, who have just moved into a brand new house in Easingwold, North Yorkshrie, thanks to investors in the bond. (C) Golden Lane Housing (Credit: Layton Thompson) GLH director Alistair Graham comments: “The huge demand for this bond shows that there is a real appetite among individual investors in social investment. “We are now looking for more institutional investors to come on board, and make a real, tangible difference to the lives of people with a learning disability, many of whom are currently excluded from the housing market.” Only one in three adults with a learning disability are estimated to be living independently. More suitable housing will reduce the need for relocation into care homes and offer an alternative for ageing parents. Head of corporate finance at Triodos Bank, Dan Hird, comments: “We have seen strong interest from both individual and institutional investors wanting to be part of something which has strong social impact and offers a good financial return.” The Nationwide Foundation and the Esmee Fairbain Foundation are amongst those investing heavily in the bond. Chief executive of the Nationwide Foundation, Lisa Suchet, says of the bond: “It provided a great opportunity to make a significant difference to the lives of people with learning disabilities and their families. This is the first time we have invested in a bond of this nature. “As a funder of charitable work which addresses housing need, it provides the additional benefit that our investment will be returned to us at a later date so we can reuse the funds to create yet more decent, affordable homes for people in need.” Danyal Sattar, social investment manager at the Esmee Fairbairn Foundation, said: “Ten years ago, Esmee Fairbairn Foundation invested £25,000 in the first Golden Lane housing bond. This month, it will repay on schedule. This is a tangible demonstration of social investment in action. “They have achieved their social objective of providing homes to people with learning difficulties and by repaying the money to us, it is now available to support the charity sector again. Our new investment of £250,000 in this bond reflects our confidence both in Golden Lane Housing and the growth of the social investment market place.” 2) Picture of James Wilkinson with a giant key outside new home (C) Golden Lane Nat Sloane, Big Lottery Fund England chair said: “Today’s news is a key milestone for Golden Lane Housing, who are clearly demonstrating how social investment can tackle deep rooted social issues – such as the challenge of providing people with learning disabilities with appropriate housing so they can lead independent lives.” Pictured above James, Claire, Sarah and Elizabeth are an example of four adults benefitting from this investment. With varying levels of severe to profound learning disabilities and some mobility issues, the friends since school are able to practice independent living to an extent that suits them. Ged Wilkinson, James’s father said: “We always wanted our children to be able to live together, and as independently as possible. For our children to live in a home not a ‘home’ if you know what I mean. That is why we are so thrilled that GLH have been able to use money from the bond to get the perfect house for our children.”