Families Sign Up for New Homes

Six families are now settling into new homes thanks to a new development by a Staffordshire affordable housing provider.

South Staffordshire Housing Association took handover of the homes in Comfrey Close, Huntington, near Cannock, from builder Miller Homes last week.

A number of local families on the waiting list waiting for a new rented home were then invited to look around by the housing association – and the first six signed up there and then.

Among the delighted new tenants is 25-year-old Lindsay Lewis.

She had been living in a two-bedroom house in nearby Lowland Road but had asked to transfer to a larger property as her family had grown.

“I have three growing girls and we were a bit cramped before,” said Lindsay, mother of Jordan, aged six, Ashleigh, three, and Kaicee, 16 months.

“When South Staffordshire Housing Association called to let me know there was a new property available nearby and that I could go and look at it, I was very excited.

“When I got there I was shaking with excitement. I could not believe it! It is just such a lovely, new home.

“We now have three bedrooms and a garden where the girls can play. It still has not sunk in that we are living in a brand new home. I never thought I would get to live somewhere like this.”

The new homes, some of which are for shared ownership, are being developed as part of a wider project over the next three years, which will see a total of 94 units made available on the site of the former Huntington colliery.

South Staffordshire Housing Association is managing the affordable homes on the site and has worked with the developer and local council to ensure that these particular properties will remain affordable in the future. It is committed to supplying 20 rented units and 60 shared ownership homes over the next three years

Nicki Eve, housing services manager for South Staffordshire Housing Association, said: “We are delighted to have been able to help Lindsay and her daughters into their new home.

“This first phase of the scheme has enabled us to take six families off the local housing waiting list, addressing a shortage of affordable housing in the areas. It is about building sustainable, integrated communities and this forms part of a larger development in partnership with a private developer and South Staffordshire Council.

“South Staffordshire Housing Association is committed to continuing to provide new, high-quality, affordable homes across the area and looks forward to releasing the next homes in Huntington as soon as possible.”

(Released 9th May 2007)