15.02.18
Manchester council starts work on 40 new affordable homes
Work has started on a project that will see 40 new affordable rental homes delivered in north Manchester.
The homes will be built with council funding and a £1.4m grant from the Homes England Affordable Homes Programme - the first time that grant funding has been made available for five years.
The 40 two bed homes will be built across six small sites in across north Manchester, and will be available for rent.
In order to be affordable, the annual cost of a home must be no more than 30% of the average gross household income, according to Manchester’s city-specific affordability definition.
Manchester’s population has increased more than any town or city in the UK between 2001 and 2011, growing by almost 20%, therefore, to meet demand, Manchester’s affordability policy has set a target of between 1,000 and 2,000 affordable homes being available each year.
It also commits to replacing social rented homes lost to right to buy and sales.
Deputy leader of Manchester City Council, Cllr Bernard Priest, said: “These homes represent the first grant funded council housing built for a number of years and will go towards replacing some of the many homes that we have lost to Right To Buy and demolitions, and help support the much needed pipeline of quality affordable homes to meet the huge demand in Manchester.”
Sue Abbot, chair of the board at Northwards Housing, which will manage the properties, added: “We know there’s demand for these homes so we’re delighted that work has now begun.
“We look forward to seeing the project progress and watching the bricks and mortar turn into homes for Manchester people.”
Carl Moore, head of home ownership and supply at Homes England, said: “This is really good news for local residents since there will be another 40 truly affordable homes and it great to see the difference our £1.4 million has made.”
The homes are expected to be completed in autumn this year.
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