‘Surge in applications since Manchester terror attack’ says Jewish housing charity - The Jewish Chronicle

A Jewish charity, which provides independent living apartments for people who are visually impaired and/or have a disability, has reported a surge in demand since the Manchester terrorist attack.

The head of Jewish Blind and Disabled (JBD) has said that while they usually only receive “a handful” of applicants every month, since the Yom Kippur attack on Heaton Park Synagogue, they had received interest from 23 potential tenants.

Speaking to the JC, Lisa Wimborne, JBD’s chief executive said: “Never in JBD’s 57-year existence has it seen the level of demand we now have for our housing and support. We are increasingly seeing on our application forms people saying they don’t feel safe where they are due to antisemitism, especially people who are living in local authority housing or housing association accommodation – whether that’s a perception or reality."

She said that since the terrorist attack, when two congregants were murdered and three people were seriously injured, there had been a spike in applications from people “who want to be housed and supported within a [Jewish] culturally sensitive setting”.

(l-r) In front of JBD's newest residence, Ephraim Court, are JBD Director of Property & Development Daniel Chakimi, Gary Cullum and Stuart Cutler Trustees of the Ephraim 1998 Charitable Trust, JBD Chair Marc Gordon, JBD Chief Executive Lisa Wimborne, Former JBD Trustee Stuart Russell, Cllr Rabbi Danny Rich, Chief Rabbi, JBD Trustee Anthony Kintish, JBD President Malcolm Ozin (Photo: Grainge Photography)[Missing Credit]

Wimborne added that fears of antisemitism were not the only reason people gave for wanting to move into JBD accommodation, citing a lack of accessible housing in London, the cost-of-living crisis, an ageing Jewish community and advancements in medicine, along with aids and adaptations that enabled people to live independently for longer.

She said it was also quite common to see an increase in applications following the High Holy Days, when people would be with their families and start discussing plans for their long-term care.

JBD provides specially adapted mobility apartments in seven, soon to be eight, supportive developments in London, Essex and Hertfordshire.

All buildings have communal kosher lounges, with other features to support the Jewish way of life, such as Shabbat lifts. Tenants are encouraged to take the lead when it comes to organising Jewish events within their buildings, such as Shabbat candle-lighting and chagim (festival) celebrations. Developments also had strong links to local synagogues and rabbis, said Wimborne.

Its newest development, Ephraim Court, in Mill Hill East, is near completion, and last week, the Chief Rabbi affixed a mezuzah to the front door of the building, which comprises 30 one- and two-bedroom apartments and communal facilities.

It is named in memory of Menashi (Morris) and Heskel (Harry) Ephraim, whose trust provided the lead gift in 1998.

Wimborne described the apartments, with their accessible kitchens and shower rooms, which are large enough for a wheelchair, as “a blueprint, not just for future JBD buildings but for accessible housing here in the UK”.

Speaking at the event, Chief Rabbi Sir Ephraim Mirvis said: “This is an amazing, wonderful occasion, and I am so privileged to be part of this event. Seeing this building come to life, it is clear it is a labour of love that will enable people in our community to live independently with dignity.”

(l-r) JBD Chair Marc Gordon, Cllr Rabbi Danny Rich, JBD Chief Executive Lisa Wimborne, JBD President Malcolm Ozin, Chief Rabbi Sir Ephraim Mirvis at Ephraim Court (Photo: Grainge Photography)[Missing Credit]

Wimborne said that purchase of the site was completed in the same week the country went into lockdown, and their plans had to be put on hold.

“There were moments during those first few weeks of Covid that I found myself questioning if people would survive this pandemic and if we would need a new building. What we could never have foreseen in those early days was how the pandemic would be the start of ever-increasing demand for our housing.”

She said that while they were currently witnessing an uncharacteristic peak in demand, since the start of the pandemic, applications had risen overall by more than 400 per cent. “We now have over 130 households on our waiting list. This building is a much needed and welcome new addition to our portfolio.”

Marc Gordon, JBD chair, said that the charity would continue to develop independent living apartments.

Plans are already in place to modernise JBD’s oldest building, Fairacres, in Finchley, and transform 29 small one-bedroom apartments into 40 bigger one and two-bedroom apartments.

Wimborne said they had secured 70 per cent of the £14m needed for the rebuilding project, and after that was completed, they would explore adding another development. “It’s ambitious, and we can only realise this with support from our community. We don’t receive any government funding for bricks and mortar.

“We are so grateful to our current supporters. Our challenge now is to reach new supporters – individuals, families, trusts and foundations.”

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Topics:

Jewish Blind & Disabled

JBD