Keys for thirty-six new homes handed over to Harlow
residents
More than 50 people waiting for social housing in Harlow have
just moved in to brand new town centre flats
Joseph Rank House is a former 1970s office block that has
been redeveloped for residential use over the past 18
months. New figures released by Harlow
Council reveal 36 out of 40 homes available to the
Council for social housing have so far been let by housing company
Luminus Group. These have been allocated to Harlow people
previously on Harlow Council’s housing register.
The homes in Hayden Road have been
allocated to eighteen single people, two expectant mothers, 10
single adults with one child and six couples with one child.
Joseph Rank house offers a mix
of one and two-bedroom flats, fully decorated with
fitted kitchens and the latest standard in environmentally
sensitive heating systems. Spacious with a
panoramic view of the town centre, the building also offers
security in the form of a concierge service - a new concept for
housing in Harlow.
One of the new residents, John
(40), said: “I’m over the moon. I can’t thank Harlow Council
enough. The property is really spacious, tidy and in excellent
condition and it is very good having a concierge service.”
Harlow Council works with a number of housing
associations to provide social housing as new housing developments
are built. Moat Homes is currently
developing 13 properties for shared ownership at Fifth
Avenue consisting of eight three-bedroom houses,
four two-bedroom apartments and one two-bedroom apartment as well
as providing other homes for rent to those on the housing register.
Other housing developments in the town include Newhall and building
work is due to start shortly at Clifton Hatch, Faircroft, Little
Brays and Park Lane (former swimming pool site).
Councillor Clive Souter, Portfolio Holder for
Housing, said: “There is great pressure on social housing in
the town and Harlow Council is working hard with housing
associations to create new homes for rent. Preference for
these homes is given to Harlow people on the Council’s housing
register.
“Over the last year 97 per cent of homes
allocated through the Council have gone to people living in Harlow
and in the case of Joseph Rank House it shows nobody from
outside the town is jumping the housing queue. By providing
new homes we are freeing up Council properties which can be given
to other local people on our housing register so there is a
clear knock-on benefit."