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Council’s Housing Award success

Published: 26/11/2014

North East Wales (NEW) Homes, Flintshire Council’s affordable housing company, has won a prestigious Welsh Housing Award. Flintshire won the New Idea of the Year award for being the first authority in Wales to set up its own housing company. It beat stiff competition from three other projects at the awards, which are organised by the Chartered Institute of Housing. Designed to respond to the challenges experienced by residents in accessing affordable housing, NEW Homes has been set up by the Council to increase the housing options available to local residents. It offers a number of tailored housing management services which are designed to increase the quantity and quality of affordable housing across the county. In addition to renting out its own properties, NEW Homes runs a range of offers for landlords which all include a ‘tenant ready’ service. The company is offering a fully managed letting and property management service and also a unique offer for home owners over 55 to lease their properties to the company and access suitable council accommodation. Councillor Bernie Attridge, Deputy Leader and Chairman of NEW Homes said: “I am absolutely delighted that Flintshire has been recognised nationally for our innovative work in tackling the issues of affordable housing for our residents. NEW Homes was established to provide a new alternative, affordable, housing offer for local people, who either can’t afford high private landlords rents, and/ or don’t qualify for a Council house. The company’s success in our first year is extremely pleasing. Councillor Helen Brown, Cabinet Member for Housing said: “We are very proud to have won this award. NEW Homes is an innovative solution to the problems faced by many households who can’t afford market rents but don’t qualify for council housing and we are pleased that the idea has been recognised at the highest professional level.” The team received their award at a ceremony on Friday 21 November at The Vale Resort, Vale of Glamorgan. Find out more about the company and the services offered by visiting the NEW Homes website www.northeastwaleshomes.co.uk or calling NEW Homes on 01352 701400. Image Caption: Pictured from front left to right are Cllr Bernie Attridge, Cllr Helen Brown, Colin Everett (Chief Executive FCC), (front) Cllr Glenys Diskin JP (Chair of Flintshire County Council), Clare Budden (Chief Officer Community and Enterprise) with members of the Housing Team.