Two care homes in Solihull could be shut down as part of council plans to transform its adult residential care services.
The council currently provides residential care services at Sunhaven in Solihull Lodge for older people and people with learning disabilities, and Coombes House, in Yardley Wood Road, for people with learning disabilities.
In January, residents, families and staff were asked how services could be improved and their feedback was used to develop a proposal for the way forward and to identify what alternative services are needed.
The council has proposed closing both homes and developing a range of alternative services – saying the buildings are not of a good enough standard to provide high quality accommodation.
It said corridors lack natural light, people do not always have a personal bathroom, couples cannot live together and buildings are not adaptable enough to make adjustments.
The council also said cost was an issue, as maintaining the homes could cost about half a million pounds over the next six years, without making any meaningful improvements.
Coun Bob Sleigh, cabinet member for health and wellbeing, said: “We must be clear that at this point in time, we are consulting with people and no decision has been made.
“We know this is a difficult subject for people, and people may be worried and that is why we are putting in high levels of support to help people understand the proposals, and give us their views.
“If we do decide to close both homes, we will work closely with residents and their families, and ensure that any move is carefully and sensitively handled.”
The council said alternative providers could deliver high quality services at a lower cost than the council, in better accommodation. The proposal looks at different ways of providing care, include ‘extra care’ which allows people to continue to live independently while still having a high level of care or support.
The consultation on the proposal was launched on Friday and runs until October 21. If the proposal is agreed, it would take at least one to two years before people see any changes.
