Council investing in affordable housing

Leeds City Council is ploughing over £1.5 million from right-to-buy sales back into affordable housing.



Money the council receives once a tenant buys their council property is being awarded to five organisations to provide another 56 homes that will be available to rent through the Leeds Homes Register.



The innovative approach has seen the council offer housing providers up to 30% of the costs of their developments.



Canopy, GIPSIL, Latch, Guinness Northern Partnership and Leeds & Yorkshire Housing Association will take a share of £1.57 million to build 41 new homes and refurbish 15 empty properties across the city.



The homes will need to conform to the new Leeds Standard with high design quality, be spacious and flexible for modern living and meet high standards of energy efficiency.



Councillor Peter Gruen, executive member for neighbourhoods, planning and personnel, said:



“With demand for council housing so high, we’re making the most of the funds available to us from right to buy sales to provide another 56 much needed homes.



“Investing the money in this way demonstrates that we can meet the challenge of providing affordable homes while breathing life back into empty homes and helping to shape communities.”



James Hartley, chief executive, Latch, said:



“We are really excited about our new build project. With the support of Leeds City Council we are building four one-bed houses to the Passivehaus standard, creating fantastic new homes that are both affordable and energy efficient.”



Grants are still available and housing organisations and providers are invited to submit creative solutions by contacting james.kilroy@leeds.gov.uk.



In particular, the council is interested in hearing about potential schemes that meet the needs of older people, smaller households, larger households and specialist housing for families with a disabled family member.



Notes:



Latch are proposing to build four one-bedroom homes on Leopold Street in Chapeltown. A planning application has been submitted and is being considered. If approved, the properties will be ultra-energy efficient, needing very little heat to keep them warm and by generating their own power from solar panels, will help reduce tenant’s fuel bills and environmental impact.





Latch propose to build four new, ultra-energy efficient one-bedroom homes in Chapeltown.



For media enquiries please contact:

Amanda Burns, Leeds City Council press office (0113) 395 1577

email: amanda.l.burns@leeds.gov.uk



ENDS