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Two new specialist homes are going to be built to help families with a disabled child.Mears has been commissioned by Rotherham Borough Council to design and build two three-bedroom bungalows in Redscope Crescent, Kimberworth Park, Rotherham.Disabled children and their parents experience many more problems with unsuitable housing than other families. Whilst, nationally, nine out of ten families with a severely disabled child report at least one significant difficulty with their homes, a quarter identify six or more problems.*Planning permission to build the specialist properties was granted in June 2014 and construction of the new homes will start at Easter, with the homes expected to be completed by October 2015.The project has been funded using the savings generated through the Mears/Morrison repairs and maintenance contract with the Council, with the Council using the savings to increase its housing stock and deliver much needed affordable housing.During the design process the Council’s Housing Occupational Therapist carried out consultation with families to ensure that specialist requirements were incorporated into the building design to ensure that they meet the needs of families who require such housing.The bungalows will be constructed using traditional materials; the design ensures that the walls and ceilings will support the specialist hoists and handrails necessary for the wellbeing of each child.Mears, with their experience in delivering new properties, has led on the pre-construction works, working closely with its local housing branch. The scheme will be delivered locally and Mears/Morrison apprentices will be given opportunities to work on the construction of the new homes.Rotherham Borough Council’s Director of Housing and Neighbourhoods Dave Richmond said: “The Council’s aim is that disabled children, young people and their families have the support they need to be fully participating members of the community.“These new homes will give two families who were previously struggling, the space they need to support their child or children, including much-needed room for play, carrying out therapies or storing equipment.”Mears/Morrison Branch Manager Andy Chambers said: “Working with Rotherham MBC on this very worthwhile project reaffirms the success of the partnership between RMBC and Mears/Morrison and the level of trust built between both parties.“The success of Mears/Morrison Rotherham is driven by the investment in our people and the community in which we work, so we are thrilled that the savings delivered by the partnership will continue to benefit the local community."Tim Carpenter, Managing Director, Mears New Homes said: “Mears are delighted to be able to support Rotherham Borough Council with its plan to develop some of their first new homes to be built for a generation and our existing partnership with them was the ideal basis to design and build these two special homes."The two new specialist homes add to five previously built by the Council in 2011/12 as part of the Local Authority New Build programme; funded by the Council with support from the Homes & Communities Agency grant funding programme.*Survey carried out by the Joseph Rowntree Foundation, 2002.