Press Releases
Mayor of Richmond meets resident of new affordable homes in Kew - 22/04/08
To mark the completion of 24 new homes for affordable rent and 24 new homes for New Build HomeBuy, The Worshipful The Mayor of the London Borough of Richmond upon Thames, Cllr. Marc Cranfield-Adams, attended the opening of Amelia House in Kew held by Thames Valley Housing (TVH) on Thursday 17th April.
The Mayor described Amelia House as a “hugely impressive development,” adding “all who live there are sure to enjoy this superb riverside location.”
Denise Carr, Richmond Council’s Cabinet Member for Adult Services, Health and Housing commented, “We are delighted to have played our part in making this project a reality and bringing more affordable homes within people’s reach. The partnership approach between TVH, the Council and St George’s, has really reaped rewards.”
To mark the occasion, the Mayor visited Emmanuelle Bretagne, a 22-year old master’s student of Business Equality and Diversity at London Metropolitan University who is renting at the development. Formerly in care, Emmanuelle knew she would be offered social housing but wasn’t expecting something as nice, “I can’t believe I’ve been so lucky. All my furniture is second hand, and I have to get lots of stuff in the sales, but the flat is really lovely. I’m absolutely delighted.”
Amelia House, forms part of the award winning St. George development, Kew Riverside Park, located on Strand Drive in Kew, and offers riverside living at affordable prices with most apartments benefiting from river views.
Geeta Nanda, newly appointed Chief Executive Officer at Thames Valley Housing, comments "Amelia house provides well-designed, attractive homes for a range of people from the local community on low incomes and in housing need. It's a highly desirable development and shows how successful the partnership has been between Thames Valley Housing, St George and the London Borough of Richmond".
Ian Dobie, Managing Director of St George West London, comments "We are delighted to be handing over the keys for Amelia House to Thames Valley Housing Association today. This is the final phase of what is a very impressive Project. I think we have created a truly sustainable and special place at Kew Riverside Park with 192 new homes in a variety of sizes and tenures, set in a beautifully landscaped park, enjoying River views and its own Conservation Area. This is a unique place for our Customers to live."
Prices at Amelia House start from £277,500 for a one-bedroom apartment and £320,000 for a two-bedroom apartment. The minimum share purchasable is 35%, and rents at 2.75% on the remainder.
End.
Editor’s Notes:
New Build HomeBuy is a government-led initiative being offered by Thames Valley Housing that enables first time buyers, key workers and others to own their own home on a part buy-part rent basis. Purchasers buy a percentage of their new home and pay a reduced (subsidised) rent on the outstanding balance of the property not yet owned. Purchasers then have the option of buying more shares, at a later date.
There are 5 residents at Amelia House who have been housed under the ‘Keyring Scheme’. Keyring is an organisation that facilitates a ‘living support network’ for people for moderate learning difficulties. In addition to the five people at Amelia House, there will be a further 4 people housed under this scheme within the borough (not by TVH). Keyring provide a live-in Community Support Worker who is accommodated close to the 9 members of the scheme as part of their job, and facilitates the living support network of the 9 people. The aim of the scheme is to enable people with learning difficulties to integrate into the community and to live independently, with the aid of the Support Worker.
Further Information
For media information contact: Ronan Cloud, BlueIce Communications,
Tel: 020 7937 7537, Email: rcloud@blueicecom.com
Back to Press Release Listing
|
