NEW SCHEME OFFERS AFFORDABLE VILLAGE HOMES
17/12/2007
Julie has lived in Swannington for all but seven years of her life and most recently had been living with her mum.
But she has now moved into one of five affordable homes built in Foan Hill thanks to a partnership involving Leicestershire Rural Housing Association, North West Leicestershire District Council, East Midlands Housing, and Swannington Parish Council.
“It’s absolutely fantastic,” says Julie, whose family have lived in the village since 1912, “I love my new home.” Julie’s sister also lives in Swannington and they both help care for their mum.
Richard Blunt, chairman of Leicestershire Rural Housing Association, explained: “This scheme allows us to meet the affordable housing needs of the village. By having a mix of both rental and shared ownership homes we have responded to the village’s needs.
“The new homes blend in with the existing properties and have many attractive features both inside and out.”
A housing survey, conducted by the Leicestershire Rural Housing Enabler, had revealed a need for affordable housing several years ago and the parish council and East Midlands Housing began the search for a suitable site.
The district council finally sold the land, which was occupied by semi-derelict garages, at a discounted price to enable the scheme to go-ahead.
The new development provides one, two bedroomed house and two, two bedroomed bungalows which are available for affordable rents to people with close links to Swannington through their family or work.
It also includes two, two bedroomed shared ownership houses, again for people with close links to Swannington. Shared ownership allows people unable to buy a property outright the chance to purchase a share of a home and then pay rent on the remainder.
Leicestershire Rural Housing Association is one of four rural housing associations supported by Midlands Rural Housing – the others operate in Northamptonshire, the Peak District and Warwickshire.
Midlands Rural Housing is part of the East Midlands Housing group which manages around 8,000 affordable homes across the region.
East Midlands Housing built the new homes but they will be managed by Leicestershire Rural Housing Association.