An event with Great Places has celebrated the £37m flagship project during Pride Month
The LGBTQ+ housing development, known as Extra Care, is a social rent housing scheme in Whalley Range, south Manchester.
The scheme has had an official on-site start and was co-produced by the Russell Road Community Steering Group, Manchester City Council, and LGBT Foundation.
Last year, Great Places opened a consultation for the first LGBTQ+ retirement home.
More than 100 new affordable homes
The development will feature 80 one- and two-bedroom apartments available for social rent to those over 55 years of age, as well as a further 40 affordable shared ownership apartments.
Construction will be sustainable and carried out by Rowlinson, with plans to deliver safe and welcoming buildings and surrounding environment.
The area the development is being built on was acquired from the City Council, with Great Places offering funding via its Homes England Strategic Partnership, the GMCA Brownfield Housing Fund, and a grant from the City Council.
This will all contribute to a low carbon development scheme with communal facilities, lounges, treatment rooms, landscaped gardens, and a net gain of trees on site.
Manchester City Council has a target to finish 36,000 new homes by 2032, with 10,000 being social rent, council, or affordable housing.
“A great moment for the city”
Commenting on the official start of the project, Cllr Gavin White, executive member for housing and development at Manchester City Council, said: “This is a real milestone moment for this development. The Council has believed in the positive impact an LGBTQ+ majority housing development could have for this community for many years – and to celebrate the social rent homes officially starting on site is a great moment for the city.
“Working with the LGBT Foundation, we know that older LGBTQ+ people worry about being able to access appropriate and inclusive housing later in life. Although we hope all older person’s accommodation is welcoming to everyone, this scheme will provide safe, secure and affordable housing for LGBTQ+ people to live with dignity.
“We look forward to the completion of these homes that will complement and enhance this part of Whalley Range – and be an important part of this community.”
Paul Martin, chief executive at LGBT Foundation, added: “We’re delighted to be here for the official start on site of this groundbreaking project. Having been involved from the very beginning, it’s been incredible to see the vision come to life — and as time has passed, the need for this scheme has only grown more urgent.
“In 2025, with LGBTQ+ communities facing increasing pressure, safe and inclusive spaces like this are more essential than ever. Older LGBTQ+ people are disproportionately affected by isolation, discrimination, and poor health, often without traditional family support. The Russell Road scheme offers not just housing, but community, dignity, and care.
“The response has been overwhelming, and we hope this flagship scheme will inspire similar developments across the country.”
Alison Dean, chief executive at Great Places, said: “We are incredibly proud to mark the official start on site for this pioneering project. This development represents a significant step forward in providing inclusive and supportive housing for Manchester’s LGBTQ+ community.
“By working closely with our partners and the local community, we are creating a space that not only meets the needs of older LGBTQ+ people but also fosters a sense of belonging and security. This project is a testament to our commitment to delivering high-quality, sustainable housing that respects and enhances the local environment.”
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