NINE AFFORDABLE FAMILY HOMES COMPLETED.

The completion of nine three-bedroom family homes for affordable rent in Hoddesdon will be marked by a key handover ceremony attended by the partners in the development - Aldwyck Housing Group, Jarvis Contracting and Broxbourne Borough Council - on Monday 16th July.

The Council provided around £1.2m funding for the scheme - known as Lintons Close - and in return has 100 percent nomination rights to these much-needed family homes.

Planning consent for the housing scheme was granted in February 2006 and work began on site in May 2006.

The site was formerly owned by Hertfordshire County Council. The land was known as 'The Lintons' and provided accommodation for people with learning disabilities. The existing building was demolished and the new Lintons supported living scheme was re-built towards the front of the site, creating available space at the back of the site. This space was used to build the nine homes, which have been allocated to local people on the Council's housing waiting list.

Affordable housing is a significant issue of concern within the borough. An Ipsos MORI survey of public opinion in 2006 showed that local people, particularly aged 16-24 and 35-54, believe that affordable housing is one of the most important local issues. The Council has allocated (£3m) during 2007/8 for new affordable housing schemes.

Broxbourne experiences high housing costs, including high house prices, high rents in the private sector, high land values and a limited supply of land in large part due to its proximity to London.

Neil Hadden, Chief Executive of Aldwyck Housing Group comments: "We are working closely with local authorities across the region to relieve the housing pressures associated with limited supply of land and high housing costs due to the proximity of London. This marks the completion of yet another successful project with Broxbourne Council, with a number of other schemes underway."

This is the final phase of a £4.5million project which has been undertaken on a partnering style basis. Commented: Steve Cook, Managing Director of Jarvis Contracting Ltd

"We are very pleased to have successfully completed these schemes which once again illustrates that when all parties work together as a team they can deliver high quality sustainable buildings that meet the needs of the local community". ends

Notes to editors:

Photo opportunity: The press are invited to attend the key handover ceremony at 1pm on Monday 16th July. The location is Lintons Close, off Essex Road, Hoddesdon, EN11 0HH (opposite Ryelands JMI School and behind Lintons Supported Living Scheme).

Representatives from Broxbourne Borough Council, Aldwyck Housing Group and Jarvis Contracting as well as staff and residents of Lintons Supported Living Scheme will be attending the event.

• Aldwyck Housing Association has over 8,500 properties across Hertfordshire, Bedfordshire, Buckinghamshire and Cambridgeshire, and provides general needs rented property, affordable homes to buy, key worker housing, supported housing for the young, elderly and care for people with specific needs.
• There are (2,026) households currently on Broxbourne Council's housing register waiting for a housing association property, and a further (496) in housing association properties who have applied for a transfer to a new property. This includes (472) households who are awaiting a 3-bedroom property.
• Jarvis Contracting

LINTONS FACT SHEET

Housing Association: Aldwyck Housing Group

Contractor: Jarvis Contracting Ltd

Total accommodation: 9 x three bedroom homes for affordable rent.

The site
The site previously provided accommodation for people with learning disabilities. The existing building was demolished and a new supported living scheme, providing accommodation for 12 people, was built towards the front of the land. The space behind the scheme was used to develop the nine new homes.

Total Scheme Cost: £1,999,766 (Works - £1,029,704)

Funding: Grant from Broxbourne Borough Council - £1,160,126

Completion date: 16 July 2007