A NUMBER of partners have been working with Horsham District Council to improve the levels of affordable housing in the district.
Ten new affordable homes were completed at Farthings Hill, Horsham, at the end of 2011 and form part of a larger development next to a veterinary surgery.
Moat Housing Association manages the four houses being sold on shared ownership leases and the six much needed family homes for rent.
Another 38 homes are due to complete at Bryce Lodge in Horsham in February 2012.
The scheme is being developed by Saxon Weald and the homes are being built to high standards of sustainable construction and low energy consumption.
A further ten new affordable homes will be completed this spring at Trinity Fields in Lower Beeding.
These homes are being provided by Hastoe Housing Association and they will be allocated to those households in need from Lower Beeding parish.
The parish council has worked hard with Horsham District Council for a number of years to secure these homes.
Thirteen homes for local people in Ashington are currently under construction and are due for completion this spring.
These properties will be owned and managed by English Rural Housing Association.
Both these village schemes, and the homes at Bryce Lodge, have been partly funded by Horsham District Council through contributions to affordable housing provided by developers.
There are currently 135 further affordable homes in early stages of construction with a further 70 about to start on the site.
Roger Arthur, cabinet member for a safer and healthier district, said: “We continue to rely heavily on new developments to drive the provision of new affordable homes, but this becomes more challenging as the recession continues.
“So it is particularly pleasing to see this new development come on line allowing people to move into homes, which are much better suited to family life than temporary accommodation.”
Ian Howard, cabinet member for living and working communities, said: “It is very pleasing to see, at last, an increase in the number of affordable houses being actually delivered. “There is still a massive shortfall in affordable housing, something we must take into account when considering the target housing numbers we will be proposing following the wide public consultation due to start in February.”