Housing officer Rebecca Gardiner, DDC Leader Cllr Kevin Mills, tenant Vickie Dash, DDC Cabinet Member for Housing Cllr Pamela Brivio and housing officer Karen Aristocleous
DDC has welcomed tenants into brand new council homes in Wingfield Place in Deal.
The 48 affordable properties were bought by the Council with the support of Homes England funding and developer contributions earlier this year.
They have been added to DDC's housing stock, with 38 let at social rent and 10 offered under the shared ownership scheme to help local people get a foot on the housing ladder.
The homes, which are a mix of two and three-bedroom houses, were handed over to the Council in September by developer Dandara and tenants have now moved in.
Vickie Dash is one of the tenants who has recently moved into one of the council homes with her three children.
She said: “I was previously in a privately rented home for 10 years but unfortunately we had to leave.
“We then lived in a caravan on my mum’s driveway for 18 months which wasn’t easy, so moving into a home here is just wonderful. I still can’t believe it, it’s quite overwhelming.
“I feel privileged and so grateful to have this beautiful home, all the stress has slipped away and the children are very happy, too.”
DDC is working on an increased programme of affordable housing with a number of schemes completed in the last year.
Cllr Pamela Brivio, Cabinet Member for Housing, said: “I am delighted to see people moving into these new council homes.
“We are committed to providing more affordable homes across the district, whether that be through building them ourselves or acquiring them, like we have in this case.
“Having a secure home can bring about positive change to a person’s life and can give security and comfort to families who might otherwise face unaffordable rental costs or unsuitable housing in the private market.
“This is why increasing our affordable housing stock is a key priority for the council.”
Notes
What is affordable housing?
Affordable housing includes social and affordable rented homes, provided to eligible households whose needs are not met by the market.
It also includes shared ownership, which supports first-time buyers into home ownership.
There are different types of rent. Social rent is paid to registered providers or local authorities. It is low-cost and set by a government formula.
Affordable rent is rent that is set at up to 80% of market rent.
Posted on 10 January 2025