Families first to benefit

Families first to benefit from new homes

Local families were some of the first to benefit from a new £7M housing scheme in Borehamwood.

Affordable housing provider Affinity Sutton has teamed up with contractor Higgins to transform rundown bedsit accommodation into 59 much-needed affordable family homes at Monkswood Gardens – now providing homes to 67 children and their parents.

There are currently more than 1,600 people on Hertsmere Council’s housing waiting list and the new development, which will be a mixture of homes for rent and shared ownership, replaces former bedsit accommodation.

The new look Monkswood Gardens comprises 23 three bedroom houses, 21 two bedroom apartments, two two bedroom houses, four one bedroom flats and nine two and one bedroom shared ownership properties.

Residents joined MP for Hertsmere James Clappison, Councillor Rosemary Gilligan, Mayor of Hertsmere, and Councillor Morris Bright, Leader of Hertsmere Council to celebrate the completion of the new homes at a special event earlier this month - where some of the younger residents took part in an art competition to showcase their new homes.

Brian Conbeer, Head of Housing – East, for Affinity Sutton which provides services to William Sutton Homes, said:  “As an affordable housing provider we are committed to providing places where people want to live and creating opportunities for our communities to thrive.  We’re also committed to working with Hertsmere Borough Council to building more affordable homes and helping reduce waiting times.”

Cllr Hannah David, portfolio holder for housing, said: "This development is great news and means that even more local people are able to live in a decent home. Living in quality accommodation has a positive impact on all aspects of a person’s health and well-being and can really make a difference to their quality of life. We are very pleased that by working with our landlords we have been able to achieve such a great development together."