Impact Housing opens Affordable Housing Scheme in the Heart of Lancaster

Hinde Street is Impact’s second scheme in Lancaster and its third scheme developed in partnership with the City Council.    

The development consists of 26 new affordable homes for rent. There are 14 general needs, family sized, houses (Hinde St) and 12 supported flats (2 Factory Hill). The houses are a mix of two and three bedroom homes with the flats being one bedroom and designed to help meet the needs of people with disabilities, and are wheelchair accessible. Support to the tenants that live in these flats is provided by Alternative Futures.  The scheme is truly affordable, with rents of £126.06 for a three bed house and £120.75 for a two bed house and combined heating and lighting costs likely to be less than £7 per week.

The Construction project delivery partners working with Impact Housing Association on the scheme were Thomas Armstrong Construction Limited, (Main Contractor) and Architects Plus (Architect).   

The total project cost was some £4 million, with contributions of £300,000 from Lancaster City Council and £700,000 from the Homes and Communities Agency. Impact has borrowed the remaining £3m commercially.

Impact Housing Association’s Chief Executive, Mike Muir, said: “We’re really pleased with our latest development. It looks great and I’m sure that our tenants will be really pleased with their new flats. I’m particularly pleased that we have been able to keep the rents and the running costs so low- an increasingly important issue for all of us.”

Cllr Karen Leytham, Lancaster City Council’s Housing Portfolio Holder said,  “The provision of affordable housing is a key priority for the council and these new homes have been much needed for some time.  This new development provides an exciting opportunity for local families to benefit from homes that are not only affordable but that are also of a very high standard.”

We held an opening ceremony on Thursday 29th October 2015, Impact Housing Association’s Chief Executive, Mike Muir and Lancaster City Council’s Housing Portfolio Holder, Karen Leytham opened the scheme. This was then followed by a tour of the flats and then onto the King’s Community Church where everyone enjoyed pies, peas and gravy and homemade pizzas. Children also enjoyed craft activities and face painting by Impact staff.