Affordable homes boost with new joint development fund

Published by Rob1 for Community Gateway Association in Housing and also in Communities, Local Government

Families in Preston are set to benefit from new affordable homes thanks to an innovative partnership between Preston City Council and Community Gateway Association (CGA).

The new joint development fund between the two partners will be used to help secure Government funding to bring new, affordable homes in Preston – owned and managed by CGA .

 The fund, which was approved by the Council on 25 August, could see an initial affordable homes fund of up to £260,000 was welcomed by Council Leader, Councillor Peter Rankin. He said:

"This is great news for hard pressed families in Preston. There is a shortage of affordable homes in the city and by working together with Community Gateway Association, we can tackle this and enable more affordable housing to be built in Preston.

This is a long term commitment and project to develop more affordable homes in the city. It will take time to fully realise the benefits and for the new homes to be built, but this is a fantastic way to help secure more affordable housing in Preston at a time when public money and resources are under so much pressure.

We are delighted to be strengthening our partnership with CGA in our shared aim of providing more quality and affordable homes to the people of Preston."

Dave Warlow, CGA's Director of Operations, also welcomed the setting up of the fund:

"This agreement is another step forward in providing more affordable homes in Preston. At a time of reduced central government funding for new homes, a partnership like this is a positive development for people in need in the city.

The council and CGA have a common determination to relieve the hardship caused by the lack of affordable housing and the fund gives a boost to our efforts.

We are very pleased in this demonstration of the strength of the partnership between ourselves and Preston City council."