Long wait for new affordable homes is over

Long wait is over for families in Arun

Families waiting years for a new home have benefited from a £10.5M development in Yapton.

National affordable housing provider, Affinity Sutton teamed up with Berkeley Homes to develop 59 much-needed affordable two, three and four bedroom new homes on Bilsham Road, Yapton.

There is a huge demand for family housing in Arun with around 4,000 households currently waiting on the housing register – and a further 300 new households joining each month.

Donald Wadey, his wife Beverly and their four children moved into a four bedroom home with a garden – after five years on the housing waiting list.

Donald, 41 said:  “The housing waiting list is huge and five years is a long time.  There have been a lot of times we have got our hopes up but these homes are really well designed – with a great living area and two bathrooms. It has really given our family a sense of security.”

The family-friendly development, which was formerly farmland, also incorporates three equipped play areas and all of the homes were built to the Government’s Code for Sustainable Homes Level 3 – with some of the homes boasting solar panels and heat recovery units.

All of the homes on the development are houses – with 39 affordable homes for rent and 20 homes available for shared ownership. 

The scheme was supported by Arun District Council who contributed a grant of £150,000 and the Homes and Communities Agency who contributed more than £3.7M in funding.

Tracy Evans, Head of Housing for Affinity Sutton in the South, said:  “As a business for social purpose we are committed to helping meet the need for affordable new homes.  We are delighted to have worked with our partners to deliver these much-needed, well-designed, modern new family homes in Arun and hope to deliver more in the future.”

Councillor Roger Elkins, Cabinet Member for Housing and Community Care at Arun District Council, said: “The people of Arun told us they wanted more affordable housing and we are working hard to give it to them.

“This scheme at Bilsham Road has delivered high-quality homes in a desirable area and has given residents the chance to take advantage of shared ownership.

“The development has made a real difference to people’s lives, many of whom had been on the housing waiting list for a long time. This has given them the chance to get on the property ladder and buy their first home.”

Ken Glendinning, head of area for Surrey and Sussex, said: “I am delighted the HCA’s investment has supported the development of these 59 new homes.  Families who have been on Arun’s waiting list for such a long time can now have the opportunity to benefit from these high quality and affordable homes.”