Sisters stay close thanks to new affordable homes from Thames Valley Housing. - 17/09/08
Thames Valley Housing Association (TVHA), in partnership with Waverley Borough Council and Kier Partnership Homes Ltd, celebrated the completion of 20 affordable homes at Dorlcote, Witley, Surrey this week. Kelly Clark, 24, full time mother of a five month old daughter, is one of the first residents at Dorlcote. Kelly, who plans to return to work when her daughter starts school, has just passed a customer services NVQ at Farnborough College and has volunteered in customer service work to gain experience. Kelly was helped by TVHA to find a home after eight years of having no fixed abode.
“When I was 20, my father committed suicide and my brother and I found ourselves virtually homeless. When I became pregnant with my daughter Millie May, a friend told me about Thames Valley Housing Association. I got in contact and had an interview with them. Just two weeks after my daughter was born I was able to move into my new home. It was absolutely perfect.”
It wasn’t just the timing that worked out for Kelly, but also the location. Kelly continues: “My sister, Helena, 26 and her 9 year old son, came for an interview at the same time as I did and they now live two doors down from me. As a child I went to Witley First and I’m so pleased that my daughter will be able to go to the same school as I did. It’s perfect, Thames Valley Housing Association has been brilliant!”
Kelly’s sister and neighbour is Helena Gatford, 26, a full time mother and carer for her son Shane, 9, who has special needs. Thames Valley Housing Association helped them move from a difficult situation where they were living beforehand. Helena explains, “Shane was extremely unhappy where we were and was often subjected to bullying from other children. Thames Valley Housing Association saved him by moving us so quickly.”
By finding new homes at Dorlcote, Kelly and Helena were reunited with their extended family who live in Witley. “We thank Thames Valley Housing Association for their help.” Finishes Kelly.
The properties at Dorlcote include 14 new homes which are available through affordable rent; 10 two-bedroom houses, 2 three-bedroom houses and 2 two-bedroom bungalows. Six new homes are available for purchase through the government’s New Build HomeBuy scheme, including 2 one-bedroom apartments and 4 two-bedroom apartments.
Dorlcote is part-funded by a Housing Corporation Social Housing Grant. Fiona Cruickshank, Housing Corporation Director for the South East, comments, “ I am delighted to see Housing Corporation funding of over £1 million is helping to provide 20 much needed homes for rent and shared ownership for local people in Witley. As well as providing homes for rent, this scheme will also provide an opportunity for first time buyers to get a foot on the housing ladder. This is especially valuable at a time when the widely reported credit crunch in the property market has affected the ability of many prospective homebuyers to obtain a mortgage.”
Councillor Mr Leonard Bate, Mayor of Waverley, highlighted, ‘’Waverley is an area of intense housing pressure; we have an important role to play to ensure an increased supply of affordable housing for rent or shared ownership. This is a lovely development and a place where many people will enjoy living’’.
Mark Allnutt, Development Director at Thames Valley Housing, said, ‘Dorlcote is an outstanding example of well-designed affordable housing which has come about thanks to our partnership with Waverley Borough Council and Kier Partnership Homes. We’ve been able to provide homes for local people, who otherwise might not have been able to stay in an area they’ve lived in most of their lives, and that makes us very proud.
The demand for affordable homes in this area is clear as just two properties remain available, both one-bedroom apartments, where a 40% share can be bought for just £64,000. Monthly charges would be £693, which include mortgage repayments, monthly rent and monthly service charges. The properties have a market value of £160,000.
The homes at the Dorlcote development all have an allocated parking space and include a fitted kitchen with oven, hob and extractor hood, fridge-freezer and washer-dryer.
Through shared ownership schemes like New Build HomeBuy, buyers can part-buy, part-rent a brand new home at a price that is competitive with monthly rental costs. Buyers enjoy the security and peace of mind of ownership in a fabulous location in the Surrey Hills Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. It is conveniently located less than an hour from London and widely recognised as having a good community spirit.
As owners are able to afford it, they can ‘staircase’ to full ownership by buying additional shares in the property. When selling, owners sell the share they own to another household nominated by Thames Valley Housing or they can staircase to 100% and sell the property in the normal fashion.
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.