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Leeds-Bradford bid to build hundreds of affordable homes
28 March 2007
A pioneering Leeds-Bradford social housing partnership aimed at building over 950 affordable homes has been short-listed for an investment challenge run by the Housing Corporation.
Bradford Community Housing Trust, West North West Homes Leeds and Firebird JVC – a development partnership of five local housing associations – have together submitted a joint bid to regenerate key sites in the Leeds-Bradford corridor.
The submission is one of 17 schemes short-listed for funding under the Corporation’s Northern Housing Challenge which aims to support the construction of thousands of affordable homes in the north of England.
The main aims of the bid is to:-
· Deliver a mix of well designed, high quality rented and low cost starter homes for nearly 4000 residents.
· Encourage cohesive and vibrant neighbourhoods offering good access to jobs and training opportunities.
· Replace and regenerate areas of poor out-dated housing stock.
· Link into existing strategic frameworks including Yorkshire Forward’s Regional Economic Strategy and the growth strategies of Leeds and Bradford.
Geraldine Howley, Group Chief Executive of Bradford Community Housing Trust Group said: “The BCHT Group has worked closely with West North West Homes Leeds and Firebird JVC to develop this joint bid which aims to meet the growing need for modern high quality affordable housing and also contribute to the continuing regeneration of both Bradford and Leeds.
“The proposal builds on the growing linkages between the two cities and the objectives of the Northern Way strategy to boost the economies in the north of England.
“The construction of over 950 homes would be a major driver for jobs and new investment in one the north’s biggest conurbations”
Claire Warren, Chief Officer of West North West Homes Leeds, said: "Creating affordable housing is not just about providing homes for people, it is a way to boost the regeneration effort in the area.
“This partnership has put forward an excellent proposal that will make a remarkable difference to the area and to the lives of the people living there."
Rupert Pometsey, Managing Director of Firebird JVC Ltd said: “This is a very unique and innovative proposal which draws on the collective strength of our partners in Leeds and Bradford to provide much needed homes and build vibrant communities.”
The Housing Corporation is due to make its final decision on the short-listed bids in early 2008 as part of the National Affordable Housing Programme.
Notes
- The Bradford Community Housing Trust Group is an independent, not for profit, Registered Social Landlord. It was formed in February 2003 following the stock transfer of the ownership and management of homes from Bradford Council. The Group is investing £175 million in modernising its stock of 22,150 homes over five years in line with the Government’s Decent Homes Standard.
- West North West Homes Leeds is an Arms Length Management Organisation which managers around 20,000 homes in the West and North West Leeds areas on behalf of Leeds City Council.
- Firebird JVC is a partnership of five housing associations in the Bradford-Leeds area. They are Accent Group, BCHT, Manningham Housing Association, Leeds Federated Housing and Unity Housing Association who are combining their strengths and expertise to develop affordable homes in Leeds, Bradford and parts of North Yorkshire supported by Social Housing grant aid from the Housing Corporation.
28.03.07