Thursday 3 May 2007
Affordable homes boost for key workers

Key workers in Cambridge have been given a helping hand to join the property ladder with the completion of a smart development of affordable homes.

Local teachers, nurses and police officers have rushed to snap up the city centre apartments at Cromwell Road, developed by leading housing association bpha.

The 14 apartments - part of the Hampden Gardens development - were all sold off-plan to local frontline, public sector personnel under a shared ownership scheme known as New Build HomeBuy.

A further 14 one and two-bedroom apartments have also been provided for affordable rent for those on the waiting list for housing, managed by Cambridge City Council.

The new development is the first of a number to be completed in Cambridge by members of Key Communities - a partnership of seven housing associations led by bpha.

Now that the homes are completed King Street Housing Society - one of the partners - will manage the homes from its Cambridge office.

David Keeling, executive director for development at bpha, said: "The fact that the shared ownership apartments at Hampden Gardens were sold so quickly demonstrates the demand for affordable housing in Cambridge.

"With local property prices so high and rising, schemes such as this provide the help people need to make that first step towards owning a home of their own.

"Developing homes for key workers benefits not only those individuals, but also the wider community as the provision of affordable housing supports local services as they recruit and retain these vital frontline personnel."

The £3,147,426 scheme has been funded by bpha and a £1,036,000 grant from the Housing Corporation - the government agency responsible for delivering new affordable homes.

The homes were officially opened at a ceremony on Monday (April 30) attended by Naisha Polaine, the Housing Corporation's head of investment for the eastern region, and Liz Bisset, director of community services at Cambridge City Council.