This month Babergh made the headlines as the local authority area with the least affordable houses in East Anglia - just one example of a growing regional problem. As house prices continue to rise, it becomes increasingly difficult for young people and key workers alike to find anything they have any hope at all of buying.
Hayes Affordable Homes, based in Diss, are pioneering a solution to the problem which allows first-time buyers to achieve low-cost home ownership without grant, and without paying rent. And to sell their properties Hayes turned to Howards - the only agent in the region with a specialist division for marketing properties of this kind.
Hayes' first venture involves ten affordable units in Mattishall, near Dereham. The houses have been built on land formerly owned by the Parish Council, and sold below market value specifically for the development of low-cost housing. The homes should be ready for occupation by July this year, and will go to local people who perform an important community role, or who cannot afford local housing at open market prices.
Howards Affordable Homes division now has seven full-time staff members working on developments as far away as Dagenham, based at Howards Norwich Riverside and at Wensum House, Prince of Wales Road, Norwich. By acting as development consultants and marketeers for various Housing Associations, Howards can ensure that low cost homes are effectively marketed – and help to ensure a continuing supply of quality housing at prices local people can actually afford.
Says Martin Cunningham: 'Some people seem to view anyone looking for affordable homes as second-class citizens. We're making it our business to see things from their point of view, to take account of average local earnings when we're looking for suitable properties, and to provide a professional service at every stage from initial concept and planning, through development, to sales and marketing. In other words, we're a one-stop shop for Housing Associations and anyone else who wants to develop, or market, low-cost housing in East Anglia and beyond.'
Howards Affordable Homes East Anglia UK T: 0845 38 90 456
