Ethos Public Relations Manchester

New council homes for Rochdale - first Brighter Horizons Scheme opening

by Ethos public relations

Brighter Horizons, the charitable development subsidiary company of ALMO Rochdale Boroughwide Housing (RBH) celebrated the completion of its first scheme recently – one that also represents the first new build affordable council homes in the borough for over 20 years.

74 year old Bridie Palmieri previously lived in private rented accommodation and has been waiting for a suitable home that meets her health needs for over five years. “This is like a dream come true,” she said. “I absolutely love my new home and my new neighbours.”

Chief Executive of RBH Gareth Swarbrick said: “This £2.1 million scheme represents a landmark for us and the borough. The properties provide much needed affordable homes and we are delighted to welcome the new tenants into these brand new properties.”

Developed on the former site of prefabricated bungalows and garages, the Croft Street scheme comprises 18 bungalows and four family houses. The new tenants include some of the former residents of the site but also people from a nearby regeneration area and Rochdale people in housing need.

Councillor Colin Lambert from Rochdale Council said: “It’s great to see Rochdale adding these new homes to its property portfolio and we have worked closely with RBH and Brighter Horizons to build the borough’s first new council homes for many years.

“It is a key priority of the Council to build more affordable homes in the area and Brighter Horizons has several other schemes in the development pipeline which will help us deliver on this.”

The properties at Croft Street are built to Lifetime Homes standard and have been constructed to meet the requirements of Level 3 of the Code for Sustainable Homes - making them efficient to heat and run. They are owned by Brighter Horizons and managed and maintained by RBH.

The scheme has been made possible by £1.2 million investment from the Homes and Communities Agency (HCA) and Deborah McLaughlin, executive director North West for the HCA said: “Working with RBH and the Council it was clear there was a strong demand from the local community for the type of housing provided on Croft Street. It’s great to now see the vision become a reality as people move into their new homes.”

To read other news from Rochdale Boroughwide Housing click here.

Posted at 14^th March 2011