WORK STARTS ON 56 HOUSES
Work has begun on dozens of affordable new Sunderland homes as part of a development which honours the city’s ship building heritage.
Sunderland housing association, Gentoo Group, has started the construction of 56 newaffordablehomesforrent in Downhill.
Work on the development Keelman Rise – named after theSunderland’sshipbuilding heritage – started last month and energy and regeneration specialistENGIEwillbeonsite building the new homes over the next year.
Thefirsthomesareexpectedtobereadybytheendofthe yearandwillbemadeavailable for rent through Gentoo’s allocations system HomeHunt.
When completed, Keelman Rise will mark the end of the regeneration of the site offKidderminsterRoadwhich Gentoo started in 2016, with the construction of 71 new homes.
The new development comes ahead of the Gentoo’s planned £117million investment into affordable housing in the city, with ambitious plans set to create a further 900 new homes for rent in Sunderland by 2024.
The project, which has beenawardedfundsbyHomes England, will see 48 two and three-bedroom homes and eight two-bedroom bungalows created on the site.
Nigel Wilson, Chief Executive Officer at Gentoo Group said: “We’re committed to building new homes for rent in Sunderland.
“This project kick-starts an exciting time for us here at Gentooasweworktoimprove thehousingofferinthecityby creatingandbuildingcontemporary, modern new homes for our tenants.
“I’m delighted that work has begun on site at Keelman Rise and working alongside ENGIE and Homes England we look forward to delivering these high quality new homes for rent later this year.”
Louise Buckton, who is New Build Director at ENGIE, said: “Gentoo have exciting plans for the city over the coming years, so we’re really proud to play a part by continuing our great partnership on this project.
“We look forward to working closely with our partners and the local community to provide new opportunities for residents, as well as creating a modern neighbourhood that complements the regeneration of the wider area,” she added.