700 families on waiting list for large houses
Council tenants living in cramped and overcrowded properties can now breathe a sigh of relief, thanks to a £1m affordable housing investment that is delivering a programme of one and two-bed extensions to 20 properties in the borough.
At the moment, there are more than 700 families in the borough on the waiting list for houses with four or more bedrooms, and there are very few properties of this size available.
The extensions programme was established in a bid to improve the overcrowding currently being experienced by some families. It also offered an alternative for tenants who were thinking about registering, or had already registered, on the housing transfer list, or those thinking about moving into private rented accommodation or buying in the private sector.
Eligible tenants were initially contacted by Hounslow Homes, to see if they wanted to have their current home extended to meet their needs, rather than looking at alternative options, such as moving.
So far 10 properties in the borough have had their extensions completed, and 10 are still in progress, due for completion early next year.
Cllr Jon Hardy, lead member for housing and service improvement, said, “Hounslow is using a whole range of flexible solutions to try and address the overcrowding that exists in our housing stock.
“We think the investment we have put into building extensions on existing properties will speedily benefit families of the selected homes, as well as improving those properties long term.”
Cllr Peter Thompson, leader of the council, said, “I am pleased that this extension scheme has been such a great success and hugely welcomed by tenants. The scheme ties into our promise of bringing more new and affordable family-sized homes into the borough, just part of our vision of building pride borough wide.
“We hope to give people more choice, but still recognise that those in the greatest housing need should be given the highest priority due to the limited number of properties that become available each year."
A low-cost home ownership open day was held on 30 October, to further support our promise of bringing new and affordable family-sized homes into the borough.
The event invited people on a moderate income to find out about competitively-priced apartments and houses in the borough, as well as information about the financial support that is available.
The event was specifically aimed at people who are already renting, but keen to buy, or who are on our housing waiting list and do not think they can afford to buy.
There were representatives from a range of housing organisations on hand to discuss their developments, as well as independent advisors, solicitors, mortgage advisers and council officers offering advice.
If you missed the event and would like more information, visit: www.hounslow.gov.uk/keyworker the site includes a list of frequently asked questions, a handy mortgage calculator and current affordable housing schemes.
November 11, 2009