North to get 900 affordable homes with £104m HCA funding

The HCA has awarded the consortium JV North with a £20m grant under the Affordable Homes Programme (AHP). This will aid the building of 905 new affordable homes to be completed in 2015, the HCA said.

Under the agreement the new homes are planned to be built in the Greater Manchester and Merseyside areas. Of the 905 homes proposed, 744 would be available at affordable rent rates and 161 would be shared ownership units.

“This agreement is excellent news as it will lead to the delivery of vitally important new homes and make a great difference to the lives of many families across Greater Manchester and Merseyside," said Deborah McLaughlin, executive director of the North-west HCA.“We have worked closely with JV North over recent months to make sure that the programme brings the maximum benefit for local people.”

The £20m HCA investment will be distributed to JV North consortium members depending on the number of homes being built. There are six members who will build from between 317 homes to 22 homes in different areas.

Trafford Housing Trust’s scheme at Calder Court is expected to be the first development to complete, towards the end of 2013. The consultations ended at the beginning of November and work is expected to start in January 2012, the Trust said.

 “JV North has a proven track record of delivering high quality social housing and the HCA grant provides us with another opportunity to develop housing in the North-west and cater for the high demand in the region," said Rob Young, chairman of JV North.