New world for housing associations

Housing associations have come far in the world of development and mhs homes in Chatham, Kent, is one of those leading the way with the provision of quality affordable homes

Its development team is working on new projects, made possible by the further £6 million awarded by the Homes and Communities Agency (HCA) in March. The cash will be used to deliver more new homes over the next two years.

Akin Durowoju, head of area at the HCA, said: “I’m delighted that the HCA has been able to work in partnership with mhs homes across the Medway towns in Kent to provide affordable homes for the local communities. The schemes in progress will not only provide more construction jobs, but will ultimately create places people want to live and work.”

Born of a controversial stock transfer, mhs homes was for many years excluded from the housing association development bonanza, but now the organisation has marked a new era for housing associations.

An investment partner to the HCA, mhs homes, which owns and manages just under 8,000 properties in Medway, has gained just under £16 million grant to date for new build projects.

The provisions of the Housing & Regeneration Act 2008 have significantly changed the situation from April this year and the organisation is in the process of setting up a Registered Provider (RP) subsidiary to enable it to continue to receive grant to build and manage more affordable homes for rent.

With 250,000 people and 13,000 businesses, Medway is the second largest conurbation in the south-east occupying a key location in the Thames Gateway, the largest regeneration scheme in Europe, with a projected population growth of 50,000 people and 15,000 new homes in the next 20 years.

It is important that new housing developments meet local needs and encourage balanced communities and mhs homes works closely with Medway Council to provide quality accommodation that is affordable and sustainable.

Deborah U pton, assistant director of housing and corporate services at Medway Council says: “New build is an important part of the drive for the council to provide more affordable homes. We had a target to provide 25 per cent affordable properties for new build developments and our partnership with local housing providers including mhs homes has been key to our delivery and has contributed to us achieving 40 per cent.”

In two of the key strategic regeneration sites – Chatham and Rochester – mhs homes is an important partner to Medway Council. As one of the area’s biggest land owners it is heavily involved in the master planning of the town area in Chatham and is re-housing tenants from properties being demolished as part of the road widening project being undertaken at The Brook.

“We are also in the process of buying back properties from leaseholders wishing to move,” says Emma Riddington, head of development. “It is hoped that by increasing our land bank in this location mhs homes will be able to make a greater contribution to the regeneration of the whole area.”

Overall the scheme could see 160 homes demolished and replaced with a mixed tenure development of 400 new homes.

As well as its new build programme mhs homes has been buying property from developers and other housing providers including 16 one and two-bedroom flats at Lyon Court, Rochester, from Bellway Homes, providing much-needed accommodation for rent, in the town centre and a complex in the village of H oo from Taylor Wimpey comprising 63 one, two and three-bedroom properties including a
sheltered scheme.

The majority of properties built by mhs homes have been built to Level 3 of the Code for Sustainable Homes and protecting the environment is a fundamental aspect of sustainable development.

“The impact of climate change has been described as the single greatest problem facing the country (and the world) in the 21st Century,” says Riddington. “However, beyond that, the location of ew homes, the materials of which they are made, and the uses their occupants make of such resources as energy and water, all have major environmental implications. Given the nature of our business and the scale and scope of the activities of the sector, associations have the potential to make a significant contribution to an improved environment.”

Last year it built the first code level 4 housing scheme in the Medway area replacing pre-fabricated bungalows in Strood with homes built using off site manufactured closed panel timber frames featuring triple double glazing to aid a high level of air tightness.

Heating and hot water is provided by an exhaust air pump with heat recovery which uses warm air created in kitchens and bathrooms through every day use to heat other parts of the home. There are also solar thermal panels on the roofs to heat water and photovoltaic panels to help power each unit.

mhs homes’ first fully adapted wheelchair bungalows in Rochester, are also built to code level 3. P art funded by the HC A they have solar thermal panels on the roofs and features include adjustable kitchen work tops, and a video call entry system.

Riddington said: “We have worked hard to raise the bar when it comes to building a wide range of new homes. By aiming high we have achieved a minimum of code level three and are able to ensure that the developments we deliver are modern and appealing but are also exceptionally cost effective for residents in terms of energy use.” It is a priority for mhs homes to be the best partner possible to help agencies such as the council and police to deliver the strategic agenda for Medway.

‘The Medway Pledge’ will be launched in July 2010 setting out the actions mhs homes will take to work with local stakeholders and agencies. “Our willingness to partner with development organisations has seen us begin contracts with numerous development organisations within the last two years,” says Riddington. “In short we are here ready to seize opportunities and enter into partnerships that represent a winwin situation for everyone but most importantly our residents.”