Kempson Road residents celebrate return home

Kempson Road residents celebrate return home

The development, led by South Staffordshire Housing Association (SSHA), was initiated after homes on the road were identified as needing significant repairs that were uneconomical to carry out. The existing residents were rehoused in other Association homes and re-development got underway in June 2008.

The new occupiers are delighted with their new bungalows, flats and houses as resident Sarah Barnsley comments: “I absolutely love living here. I was brought up in the area and was thrilled when I heard that SSHA were building homes on the site and I could bring my children back to live here in such a lovely environment. I really like the house; the rooms are spacious and are more than enough for my family.. It is fair to say that we are a very happy family who plan to be here for quite a while. We are looking forward to the future.”

All of the new homes have been designed to be energy efficient, helping to reduce hefty fuel bills. Top of the range heat recovery systems have been installed to provide heating and hot water and a £700,000 Homes and Communities Agency grant was given in recognition of the much needed development.

Ursula Bennion, director of business development for the SSHA, explains: “With such a need for affordable housing in South Staffordshire it’s great when we can redevelop sites like Kempson Road and turn them around from being unsuitable houses and unused garages to lovely family homes that will support people like Sarah in bringing up her family. We couldn’t have done this without the co-operation of the residents, the local community and South Staffordshire Council and so we would like to thank them all for their ongoing support..”

To meet with the needs of the residents, SSHA has developed one bungalow suitable for a disabled resident who requires wheelchair access, four two-bedroom flats, five three-bedroom and one four-bedroom houses. In addition, more housing has been provided where the old garages on Littleton Crescent once stood. These were demolished and eight two-bedroom flats, all with individual entrances, were built.

In total, more than £2 million was spent building the new homes in Penkridge. This is just part of SSHA’s ongoing commitment to improving living standards in social housing across South Staffordshire.

For further information about the SSHA or the Kempton Road development call 01785 312312 or visit www.ssha.co.uk.