Rented homes scheme in Weston-super-Mare helps address shortage of affordable homes
ONE of North Somerset’s leading providers of affordable housing is celebrating this month (April 2018) after completing its latest scheme of rented homes.
Alliance Homes, based in Portishead, teamed up with building contractor Speller Metcalfe to build eight new apartments for affordable rent just off Winterstoke Road.
The half-a-million-pound development was jointly funded in partnership by Alliance Homes and Homes England.
Officially, the apartment blocks will be named Wedmore House and Theale House, and each made up of four one-bedroom homes, with parking for each property.
Stephen Baker, Head of Development & Regeneration at Alliance Homes, said: “We’re really pleased to be working with Speller Metcalfe, North Somerset Council and Homes England to deliver new and affordable homes to meet the needs of our communities and reduce the housing shortage in the south west.”
In this year’s National Housing Federation regional report entitled Home Truths 2017/18: the housing market in the South West it was revealed that housing associations in the south west built over 4,200 homes and started 2016-2017, and started a further 4,100. However, the region still isn’t building enough homes. Between 2012 and 2016, there was a shortfall of over 21,000 houses across the south west.
The report concluded that the average cost of renting in the private sector in North Somerset stands at £731.
Stephen added: “The high cost of rent in the private sector often closes doors to many people living our communities. Last year, Alliance Homes delivered more than 81 new affordable homes, with 300 more in the pipeline for North Somerset and the rest of the south west, in order to deliver good quality housing that people can afford.”
“Being able to deliver affordable, quality homes is at the heart of Speller Metcalfe’s housing strategy,” says Norberto McBride, Divisional Manager for the construction company. “Having worked with Alliance Homes on previous projects we are proud to be continuing to meet the needs of North Somerset residents and the current housing shortfall.”
Housing is already playing a major part of regeneration plans for Weston. North Somerset Council’s Housing Strategy (2016-21) sets out its three strategic aims, one if which is to increase the supply of homes in the local authority area.
