Thinking of buying a property - SmartShare has thousands of properties to buy or rent across the UK
Affordable homes for everyone
Thinking of buying a property - SmartShare has thousands of properties to buy or rent across the UK
The government needs to release £6 billion for affordable housing developments, a new collection of construction industry professionals has said.
According to the 2020 Group, it is possible for the government to build its way out of recession, if it is prepared to invest in new construction initiatives. The group has warned that 45,000 construction industry workers will be forced out of work by 2010, although this could be averted says group chair and economist Kate Barker."Support for housing today offers excellent value in terms of sustaining economic activity and reduces the risk of a very severe loss of capacity in the housing and related industries," Ms Barker notes. A member of the Bank of England's monetary policy committee, Ms Barker says waiting lists for social housing are lengthening and the group's proposal for more affordable housing "meets a real and urgent need".
Source: Direct News
A new eco friendly housing development in Camden is offering properties on shared-ownership terms. The development by the Notting Hill Housing Association features solar panels and a unique roof that reduces costs and noise. By opening the development to shared-ownership deals, the association is hoping first-time buyers will take advantage of their offer and get themselves onto the property ladder. One and two bedroom properties are available from developer Habitats and priority will be given to people earning up to £60,000 and living in Camden."Buyers will have the comfort of knowing that the development has not only been built sustainably but also sits in a region of the capital where house prices have not decreased to the same extent as in other boroughs," director of home ownership, Mark Vaughan told the Times. A recent report by the UK Green Building Council claims that the current definition of zero carbon is not achievable in 80 per cent of homes.
Mayor of London Boris Johnson has launched a new initiative to build more homes and create opportunities for business in the Olympic Park.
As part of the proposals 10,000 new homes are to be built, along with a business hub and an Olympic University in Hackney Wick."Both translate into a clear boost for local prosperity and a signal of the area's new importance in a 21st century London," the London Development Agency has said. Mr Johnson noted that the Olympic budget would be used to attract businesses from around the UK and the rest of the world. The mayor said he had been worried there was no clear vision of the legacy left for east London by development in the area."Now I believe that the future for this most deprived area is spectacularly bright," he commented. London boroughs have already shown their support for shared ownership housing. Lambeth, for example, announced it was to take part in a Social Homebuy scheme in March 2007.
Source: Direct News 11/02/09
A housing development in East London is using a new high tech insulation system that makes it easier for builders. The H+H Thin Joint system has been adopted by Bulgar Developmments for the Asra Housing Association development, azom.co.uk has reported. Having used the materials, Ferguson Construction noted building is much quicker and cleaner for contractors. Alan Ferguson of Ferguson Construction said the system also produces less waste than other methods."Once people are trained to use the system it runs very well and we finished on time. I would happily recommend the Thin-Joint system to others," he commented. The housing development is built on the site of a former pub and is set to offer 37 properties for shared ownership. Thin Jointed H+H walls were also recently used successfully in the construction of an executive home in West London.
Source: Direct News