Record year for new affordable homes in Stratford District

Affordable Housing is one of Stratford-on-Avon District Council's corporate priorities.

Although the District Council no longer owns or manages any affordable housing of its own, it does play a major role in delivering additional affordable housing within Stratford District to meet identified housing need with the Affordable Housing Development Programme.

Last year (1 April 2014 to 31 March 2015) 215 new affordable homes were built – a record annual figure.

Highlights from last year's programme included:
 

• Two specialised housing schemes for adults with learning and/or physical disabilities at Bidford-on-Avon and Shipston-on-Stour. The Bidford scheme was supported by the Government's Care and Support Specialised Housing Fund and was the only such scheme to be funded in this way in Warwickshire.
• Two further rural housing schemes at Harbury and Ilmington.
• Practical completion of the first apartments within the Extra Care Housing scheme at Tithe Lodge, Southam. The scheme became fully operational in October 2015.
• An urban regeneration scheme at Woodlands Road, Stratford-upon-Avon which provided 15 bungalows and houses to replace 12 defective houses.

Councillor Chris Saint, Leader of Stratford District Council commenting on last year's performance said: “The District Council has a strong and long-standing commitment to meeting the housing needs of its residents.  Quality, affordable, homes make a vital contribution to the continued health and sustainability of our local communities.  So I'm delighted that last year we were able to help our partner housing associations deliver a record number of such homes.

“Last year, we saw the successful completion of the Council's Rural Housing Programme 2012.  I'm delighted that we were able to support this Programme by making available over £1.1million of grant funding.  This has enabled a total of 60 new affordable homes to be built.  Over the past year I've seen for myself the big difference the schemes at Ilmington and Stockton have made to the life-chances of the residents of those villages.  I would strongly encourage other communities to consider the exciting potential that such schemes offer."

For communities interested in identifying unmet local housing need and future schemes please contact Sarah Brooke-Taylor, the Rural Housing Enabler at the Warwickshire Rural Community Council on 01789 472610.

Looking to the future, despite significant financial constraints nationally – which will affect the way affordable homes are provided – the District Council currently has a pool of 'committed' sites (those already under development or with planning permission in place) capable of supplying in excess of 2,000 additional affordable homes throughout the District's towns and villages.

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