£3.7M BOOST FOR AFFORDABLE RURAL HOMES IN MIDLANDS
18/06/2008
Leicestershire, Northamptonshire, Peak District and Warwickshire rural housing associations have secured the funding, with the support of parent organisation Midlands Rural Housing (MRH).
MRH supported their bids for funds from the Government’s National Affordable Housing Programme 2008-11. A number of the bids were successful, resulting in grants to help meet the housing needs of local communities.
The £3.7 million will help to provide 77 new homes, of which 60 will be for rent and 17 for sale through low-cost shared ownership. The homes will all be let or sold only to people who can demonstrate strong connections to the local area, either through family or work ties.
The developments will be scattered as follows:
· eight homes in Appleby Magna, Leicestershire
· 43 homes in Brixworth, East Farndon, Sywell and Titanmarsh, Northamptonshire
· 17 homes in Baslow, Brailsford, Elton and Tansley, Peak District
· nine homes in Coton-in-the-Elms, South Derbyshire (covered by Peak District)
Before they were put forward for funding, all the developments were discussed in detail and agreed with parish councils and local authorities. MRH carried out extensive fieldwork in each village by conducting surveys of local housing needs, identifying suitable sites and consulting with communities.
MRH, which provides a range of services to the four not-for-profit rural housing associations, also worked closely with Leicestershire & Rutland Rural Housing Enabler and The Trent Valley Partnership project officer.
In addition, MRH has provided support and assistance to other affordable housing providers in the region, helping them secure funding for a further 46 homes in five Midlands’ villages.
Richard Mugglestone, project delivery manager for MRH, said: “These are more than just figures on a spreadsheet – they add up to real homes that real people can afford.
We are working to keep Midlands’ villages alive and to help young people drifting away from their roots because they can’t afford a home.
All the individual developments are small, in-keeping with their surroundings, but their significance to these communities is enormous.”