Member Article

Partnership hits 1,000th home milestone as work resumes

As safe and socially distanced work resumes on Sheffield Housing Company (SHC) building sites, the regeneration partnership will shortly complete its 1,000th new, high quality home for the city.

Efforts to re-open all four live construction sites are underway, in line with government and Public Health England guidelines and based on the Construction Leadership Council’s Safe Operating Procedures. This is to ensure safe environments and practices for staff and sales office visitors prior to their return.

The 1,000th property will be built at the Eclipse development in Manor, where SHC is currently completing the next phase of 181 two, three and four bedroomed homes.

SHC is a joint venture development company established by Sheffield City Council, private sector construction partner Keepmoat Homes and Great Places Housing Group. Simple Life – part of Sigma Capital Group plc – and energy and regeneration specialist ENGIE are also working closely with the housing company on the initiative to provide homes of all types of tenure in the city.

Delays caused by the national lockdown mean Eclipse will not be completed until early next year. Once built, it will be the 10th development delivered and combined, they will comprise more than 1,100 two to six bedroomed homes.

Around 8% are for affordable rent, delivered by Great Places; 20% are private rent, through Simple Life and the remainder are for sale. The average price across the city of around £170,000, demonstrates the partnership’s drive to deliver homes within the reach of local people.

Looking ahead, the aim is to build over 1,000 more, which will ultimately lead to SHC creating a total of up to 2,300 properties on 23 sites across the city by 2025 – delivering further economic stimulation, job creation and community investment for Sheffield.

The Company’s entire development programme is currently benefitting from over £3m in funding from Homes England and £1.5m from Sheffield City Region.

Steve Birch, Development Manager at SHC said: “It’s extremely rewarding for the partnership to be reaching this significant milestone. However, as well as delivering nearly 1,000 homes, we have been wholly committed to supporting and helping the communities in which we work to thrive.

“This has been achieved through providing training opportunities, apprenticeships and jobs, which has helped retain individuals and families in Sheffield, boosting micro economies across the city.”

To date SHC has created 75 apprenticeships, over 800 jobs and spent more than £80m with construction sector businesses in the region.

Councillor Bob Johnson, Cabinet Member for Transport and Sustainability at Sheffield City Council, added: “It’s great to see this milestone being reached and so many new houses delivered to help meet Sheffield’s growing housing needs. In these challenging times, people have come to appreciate their homes more than ever and it’s essential that looking ahead to the future, we continue to provide affordable, quality housing for our expanding communities.”

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Paul Dobbie .