Council purchases more affordable housing in Alnwick to address 'urgent need'
More new properties in Alnwick have been bought by Northumberland County Council to help tackle the shortage of affordable homes.
The council has purchased three two-bedroom homes on the Story Homes development being built at Riverbrook Gardens off Alnmouth Road.
The houses are expected to be completed by September and will be rented out at an affordable rent. This will be no more than 80% of the market rent.
The county council has agreed to fund the £408,000 necessary to purchase the properties and once complete they will be listed on the Northumberland Homefinder register.
It brings the total number of affordable homes purchased by the council in Alnwick to 13 over the last three years.
Cllr Colin Horncastle, cabinet member with responsibility for housing, said: “This new, affordable housing will be a very welcome addition to the Alnwick community. We’re delivering pockets of high-quality affordable housing where it is needed most.
“Between 2017 and the end of 2025, more than 1,700 affordable homes to rent or buy were built in communities right across the county. Planning permission has also been granted for a further 1369 affordable homes, cumulatively creating over 3,000 new affordable homes in Northumberland.
Cllr Gordon Castle, Alnwick, said: “It has been identified from the county’s Homefinder application process that there is a high demand and a need for two bedroomed houses in Alnwick.
“These two bedroomed houses will be suitable for those eligible for 2-bedroom properties with preference given to couples or families.
“We are pleased that these houses have been funded with money provided through the Right to Buy scheme.”
Cllr Martin Swinbank, Alnwick, added: “With the rising cost of living and such uncertainty around rental markets, mortgages and interest rates, it is really difficult for people to get onto the property ladder or to find a home to rent.
“We know new affordable housing is urgently needed for our residents and these high quality, energy efficient homes will cost less to rent, heat and run.”
Any applicants wishing to bid for these properties should make sure they have registered on Homefinder. This is now done online but support can be accessed face to face at the Lindisfarne Centre.