Sunderland Echo

Bungalow-building projects are laying foundation­s for future

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in June, with the hope that the first tenant will be in by early 2021.

Meanwhile, work is also ongoing on proposals for other bungalow projects in Albert Place in Washington, and Boult Terrace in Houghton.

A total of 26 homes are to be set up if the plans get the green light.

Of those, 16 will be designed with people with physical disabiliti­es in mind.

With Sunderland lined up as the first city in the UK to become 5G ready, the homes will also be kitted out so that people can be helped to live independen­tly through voiceactiv­ated technology, with the cover to also support the new centre.

It is part of a renewed effort to fill the gap in housing needs in the city, with the authority now registered as a provider of social housing, with work ongoing to become an Investor Partner with Homes England.

The projects are part of a wider £59million project which will see Wearside make a return to having its own council housing, with the scheme to go before the council’s cabinet next week - within that, there are plans to build 117 new bungalows by 2025.

The cash will be invested over five years in affordable housing, which will also see hundreds of more homes set up and empty properties tackled.

Councillor Rebecca Atkinson, cabinet member for housing and regenerati­on, said while the authority will continue to work alongside social housing companies and developers of private homes, it is working to fill the gap by providing its own home service.

Councillor Atkinson said: “For me, we can see the difference social housing can make.”

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 ??  ?? Cabinet member for housing and regenerati­on, Councillor Rebecca Atkinson.
Cabinet member for housing and regenerati­on, Councillor Rebecca Atkinson.

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