HCA unlocks nearly 4,000 more homes through Kickstart

The Homes and Communities Agency (HCA) has announced a further tranche of schemes to receive funding through the first round of its Kickstart programme.

The national housing and regeneration agency has confirmed funding that will unlock a further 3,688 homes in 45 schemes with investment totalling more than £153 million.

The announcement brings to an end the process of allocating funding under Round 1 of the programme that has seen investment totalling £359.9 million across 136 schemes nationally, unlocking a total of 10,281 new homes.

A further 20 schemes have been approved subject to conditions and these will be concluded between now and the end of the year.

Of the 270 schemes originally shortlisted, 32 schemes did not meet funding conditions; 82 schemes were withdrawn, 47 of which have been submitted in to Kickstart Round 2. 

Sir Bob Kerslake, chief executive of the HCA said: “This is a very good result, getting more than 10,000 homes underway in such a short space of time has been a great achievement.  Many developers are already back to work and momentum is increasing every day.

"We have learnt plenty of lessons from the bidding that we’ll be able to use in the next round, helping to speed up and streamline the process.

"Kickstart has been very successful in helping to boost the industry at a time of great need and, of course, increase the supply of new and affordable homes for people across the country.”

Successful schemes announced in the latest round of funding include:

East Midlands

Royal Estate, Market Worsop, Bellway Homes
Total Kickstart Funding £0.9m

Kickstart funding has been allocated to 50 HomeBuy Direct units on a stalled phase which is part of a wider development of 263 homes. The wider project will provide a mix of one to five bedroom homes and is a key contributor to the sustainability of Market Warsop: adding to the diversity and vitality of the community.

Bellway Homes plc is fully committed to the Family Employment Initiative (FEI) which is sponsored by the Coalfield Regeneration Trust. The FEI seeks to promote local area based employment initiatives through close working with families and households and targeting specific streets in deprived areas.

London

Plashet Grove, East Ham, London and Quadrant Housing Trust
Total Kickstart Funding £1.7m

Kickstart funding unlocks 42 homes in this project that provides a mix of residential and commercial uses. The scheme is built to Code for Sustainable Homes Level 5 and will deliver three very large 5 bedroom houses for affordable rent and 1 LCHO larger family home (3 bed, 5 person) as part of the scheme.

North East

Clayport, Alnwick, Gentoo Group
Total Kickstart Funding £5.8m

The market town of Alnwick is a popular residential location in Northumberland with average house prices typically higher than most locations within the region. Consequently there are significant affordability issues and high demand for social housing. The Kickstart scheme will unlock 93 homes including 41 for social rent and 12 low cost home ownership. The securing of Kickstart funding will also enable the Gentoo Group to continue with its apprentice programme.

North West

Grove Road, Stalybridge, Countryside Properties
Total Kickstart Funding £0.7m

Stalybridge South which is an area of relatively high pressure for housing demand. Kickstart funding is supporting 58 HomeBuy Direct units. Before stalling due to market conditions the site was remediated and is ready for build out.

South East

The Acres, Horley, Barratt Developments
Total Kickstart Funding £0.6m

Horley is within Reigate and Banstead which is a Growth Point as designated by CLG which has the aim of making a significant contribution to housing growth. Horley is also a key town within the Gatwick Diamond which has been recognised as key economic growth area within the South East. The aim of the Gatwick Diamond is to be a world class, internationally recognised business location achieving sustainable prosperity.

The Kickstart investment unlocks 67 homes of which 19 will be HomeBuy Direct, 10 social rent and 6 low cost home ownership.

West Midlands

Ley Hill, Birmingham, Bellway
Total Kickstart Funding £1.2m

Ley Hill is a major regeneration project in south west Birmingham. The regeneration project is a major redevelopment of a former Council estate in the South West of the City, close to Northfield, where investment is taking place in the local centre & Longbridge which is one of the region's and HCA's/AWM's priorities for investment.

The demolition of the former Ley Hill Estate has taken place. Kickstart funding unlocks 59 houses through HomeBuy Direct: a mixture of one, two and three bed properties. A total of 151 will be developed including later phases.

Yorkshire & Humber

Chevin Ings Site C, Kingston on Hull, Synergy Housing Solutions
Total Kickstart Funding £2.9m

The site lies approximately 4miles to the north east of Hull city centre and is located within one of the Gateway housing market renewal pathfinder key intervention areas.

This scheme will deliver a mix of house types and tenures including 2, 3 and 4 bedroomed houses and 2 bedroomed bungalows, to create a mixed community and a much improved housing choice reflecting local need. The Kickstart investment will unlock 55 homes: 30 affordable rented homes, 15 low cost home ownership homes and 15 homes for outright sale.

East of England

Parklands, Shoeburyness, Bovis Homes
Total Kickstart Funding £2m

Kickstart Funding will unlock 73 market sale homes consisting of 42 two bed and 31 three bed homes. There is an identified need for two and three bedroom sale units in the local area. The scheme is in a priority area for housing growth.