The council is about to advertise 12 newly completed flats in Hove to let as it restarts the Homemove lettings scheme later this week.
Brighton and Hove City Council said: “Twelve brand new council flats in Hangleton will be among the first properties advertised when our Homemove choice-based lettings scheme restarts.
“The homes in Buckley Close are a mix of one and two-bedroom flats and will be available to people on our joint housing register.
“They include one fully wheelchair-accessible flat with a level-access shower, adjustable kitchen and wheelchair storage space.
“Tenants moving into the new flats will benefit from reduced energy bills all year round and a pollution-free renewable source of energy thanks to solar panels fitted on the roof.
“The new development is also providing homes for local wildlife. Bat boxes, sparrow terraces and starling boxes have been included on the flats, along with nest boxes on nearby trees.
“With some covid-19 restrictions now easing, lettings through Homemove are restarting when the next cycle begins on Thursday (11 June).
“The amount of properties will be lower initially while we restart repairs and essential checks to get properties ready. We’re expecting this to increase over the following weeks.
“We’ll be putting measures in place to make sure we can maintain physical distancing for any property viewings.
“We’ll be asking that only people who need to be at the viewing attend and will invite one household at a time. Viewings where we can’t maintain physical distancing will need to be stopped.”
The Buckley Close flats were built as part of the council’s New Homes for Neighbourhoods programme.
The council said that the scheme had enabled it to build 211 homes for rent since 2015, adding: “Many more homes are in the pipeline, with building work well under way on 30 flats on the site of the former housing office in Selsfield Drive and plans recently approved for 42 homes in Victoria Road, Portslade, and four flats in Frederick Street in the North Laine.”
Councillor Gill Williams, who chairs the council’s Housing Committee, said: “It’s great to see these new flats advertised and I look forward to welcoming the tenants to their new homes.
“Getting our Homemove lettings system moving again has been one of our main priorities. It’s a key part of tackling the city’s housing crisis.
“We’re making good use of council-owned sites like these to build extra homes wherever we can.
“I appreciate building work does cause disruption and I’d like to thank residents for their patience during construction. Every new council home makes a vital difference.”
I think it’s fantastic that extra houses are being developed and also taking into account our wildlife.
Let’s hope you prioritise all the people who have been waiting year’s and year’s and years for housing!! Majority of people on the housing list still work and pay there taxes let’s not forget that.
Looks like a school or prison block. Not my idea of a home. I know we are desperate but why does it have to look straight out of a communist country?
12!!
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that must only leave 1000 families in need now.
oh it’s not funny it’s utter incompetence
Over 12,000 just in band c (not considered priority but still legally overcrowded etc) 🙁
Couple looking for transfer to hangleton hove priority band A medical would love to bid on these new builds ideal for disabled._.