The properties will be added to the existing portfolio of just over 300 homes in and around the English town.
Harrogate Housing Association – an organisation founded in 1968 in response to an appeal launched to mark the 20th anniversary of the United Nations’ Universal Declaration of Human Rights – has raised £15million of new loan funding from Triodos Bank UK to help build 200 new affordable homes.
The homes can be described as affordable as a result of their energy savings. Each property is set to have an energy performance certificate (EPC) rating of B or above. What’s more, a number of homes are also due to be fitted with air source heat pumps and solar panels.
‘This finance is very important for us as it enables us to go ahead with our plans to significantly increase the number of affordable homes we provide for the people of Harrogate,’ Steven Brook, chief executive of Harrogate Housing Association said. ‘We are passionate about making housing inclusive for local people, who might otherwise be pushed out by the high property prices in the area. With Triodos Bank’s support, we are delighted the be able to create more high-quality housing to support local families.’
Peter Borgers, senior relationship manager at Triodos, added: ‘We’re very pleased to support Harrogate Housing Association in its plans for growth; it’s ambitious development programme will help provide a significant number of much needed affordable homes in the area.’
To give context about now needed affordable homes are, the latest data from Harrogate Borough Council shows there is a requirement for around 208 additional affordable homes a year, representing around 30% of the total housing need in the area. The increase in demand has come from house prices being considerably higher than national and regional averages, which translates to a need for almost 4,400 affordable homes between 2014 and 20235.
Photo by Ebun Oluwole via UnSplash
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