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A major social housing partnership is starting its first affordable homes scheme for Bradford Community Housing Trust (BCHT) in the city.

At Saffron Drive, 34 family sized homes are being built for BCHT and Manningham Housing Association (MHA) with Firebird JVC Ltd acting as the development agent for the £2.8 million scheme.

On completion in 12 months time the two housing groups (BCHT and MHA) will take over the ownership of 17 homes each. The properties will be a mix of three, four and five bedroom homes.

The scheme aims to help meet the growing need for rented and low cost starter homes. Six of the BCHT houses will be offered for sale on a shared equity basis.

The development is supported by a £2 million Housing Corporation grant with the rest of the funding coming from BCHT and MHA.

Geraldine Howley, Group Chief Executive of Bradford Community Housing Trust said: “Building high quality affordable homes in the city is vital to meeting local peoples’ needs, regenerating communities and boosting the local economy.

“Providing a mix of rented and shared ownership schemes aims to give home hunters an important opportunity and choice about the accommodation they want.

“This new development marks an exciting milestone for BCHT and the Firebird JVC partnership and promises to be the first of a development programme covering other areas of Bradford.

Anil Singh, Chief Executive of Manningham Housing Association said: “This is a great example of us building mixed and balanced neighbourhoods that people really want and need. We encourage our tenants to help their neighbours and good neighbours will form a key ingredient to the success of this project.”

Rupert Pometsey, Managing Director of Firebird JVC Ltd said: “We are delighted and proud to be given the opportunity to develop affordable quality homes to meet the needs of the diverse communities that we serve in collaboration with our partners. The design and construction of these new homes will enhance a sustainable neighbourhood.”

The Saffron Drive scheme is being built by Strata Construction.

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Note – 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 nearly 200 homes (mainly family size accommodation) in the district over the next two years. The investment is being supported by Social Housing grants totalling £17.6 million.

- Shared Equity offers people who may not yet be able to afford the full price of a new home the chance to start on the property ladder by buying a share in a property.

21.03.07