Consortium helps council achieve milestone
01.12.2006
When Laura Short moved into her new one-bedroom apartment in Tiverton, she had little idea that unpacking her belongings would create a milestone moment for Mid-Devon District Council.
But as she had moved into the 100th new home under the district’s affordable housing programme, Laura was officially welcomed to her new home by a party of councillors, housing staff, and the developer recently.
Sovereign Development Consortium recently completed 20 affordable homes at The Hayes - part of a larger Bellway Homes development in Hawks Drive - for rent and part-buy part-rent. The partnership celebrated by delivering flowers and bubbly to Laura for a champagne toast in her front room.
Sovereign Housing Group Development Manager Sarah Griffin said: “It’s very difficult to deliver these numbers of affordable homes in rural areas, so we’re pleased to have completed another scheme that will help people on low incomes into the quality homes Bellway has developed on our behalf.
Councillor Charlie Haydon added: "This was an important milestone in the council's corporate plan to provide 300 units in five years. I am very pleased we are ahead of schedule, and I was delighted to welcome Laura into her new home."
As Laura, 20, and her partner are both deaf, she has enlisted the help of her local deaf community group to install a specially adapted doorbell, as part of her quest to live independently.
The £2.2m scheme of six rented and 14 shared ownership homes was funded with £300,000 from the Housing Corporation, and topped up with recycled funds from Sovereign’s balance sheet.
Published 14 December 2006
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