Type=image;ImageID=10495;ImageClass=left;ImageTitle=Councillor Bilson hands over the key to new tenants;TitleClass=strong;
Type=image;ImageID=10497;ImageClass=left;ImageTitle=Councillor Bilson hands over the key to new tenants;TitleClass=strong;
The works were carried out by the council's Strategic Construction Partnership (SCP) contractors, - Wates Living Space and United Living - who have delivered 12 homes at Redcotts Close, Fallings Park; Hughes Road, Bilston North; Welbury Gardens, St Peter's; and Sunset Place, Spring Vale.
Tenants are now occupying Wates Living Space's 7 two-bedroom, four-person houses at Hughes Road, Redcotts Close and Welbury Gardens; and United Living's 5 wheelchair compliant bungalows - appropriate for people with limited mobility - at Sunset Place.
Councillor Peter Bilson, Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for City Housing and Assets, said: "This scheme is helping smarten up neighbourhoods in the city while providing affordable housing to residents in housing need, and for vulnerable people.
"The project has been a great success with the contractors delivering what we asked of them and it is hugely satisfying to see tenants enjoying these fabulous properties.
"It has proved to be an effective way to deliver new homes and, crucially, increases the city's housing stock when it needs it most."
New Sunset Place tenant Angie Russell, aged 50, has moved into one of the wheelchair compliant bungalows with her husband Neil, 43, and said: "The house is fantastic. Before moving here I was effectively living out of 2 rooms. Sunset Place has changed my life and given me so much independence."
Safeen Rashad, aged 32, has moved into a new property at Welbury Gardens with his wife Sazan Ameen, 25, and 2 children, Wareen Khalid, 4, and Yareen Khalid, 4 months. He said: "We are very happy in our new home. We were previously living in a flat and this has made a big difference to our children and our family life."
The success of the pilot scheme triggered a decision by the council in December to invest a further £3 million in building another 20 homes on infill sites.
Sites at Harrowby Road, Bushbury North; Lord Street, Bilston North; Brooklands Parade, East Park; and Clare Crescent, Spring Vale, have been selected, with work due to begin later this year.
The scheme is monitored through a joint project team from City of Wolverhampton Council and Wolverhampton Homes, to ensure the new council homes are built to a high standard.
Richard Baker, Business Unit Director (West Midlands) for United Living, added: "The most rewarding part of any new build contract is being able to see the first residents finally move into their properties. While this marks the full completion of the project for United Living, it is only the beginning for people like Angie and Neil whose day to day lives will be enhanced with the facilities and adaptions within their bungalow. We wish them and all future residents the very best in their new homes, and we would like to thank the City of Wolverhampton Council and Wolverhampton Homes for partnering with us on this important project."
Stewart Reid, Wates Living Space Business Director, said: "To see the residents move into the new homes brings to fruition a build programme that has centred around creating high quality, comfortable and efficient living spaces for the people of Wolverhampton. This important work has not only fulfilled our client's ambitions to enhance the housing provision for vulnerable people but has done so while bringing a positive benefit to the city's economy through our ongoing engagement with local supply chain partners."
- released: Tuesday 30 August, 2016