New Plans For Development
It's a really exciting time for Accent.
In our new development and growth plan, we set out how we will grow in size, working with new and existing partners to develop at least 500 new homes each year and how we will become a land led organisation.
Our new plans are built around the location of our existing homes and in areas we have identified as suitable for sustainable growth.
Most of the new homes will be developed through the strategic corridor from East Cambridgeshire through to Milton Keynes. They will offer a range of tenures with a mix of affordable rent, social rent, shared ownership and rent to buy, depending on the type of housing most needed in the area.
The launch of our new plan comes just weeks after news of our £225M public bond success which will enable us to deliver our new homes. At the time, the 30-year bond, priced at a coupon rate of 2.625%, was the lowest ever rate secured by a housing association in England for a bond greater than 12 years in duration.
Our Executive Director of Development & Growth Sarah Ireland said: “This is a really exciting time for Accent. Our new development and growth strategy has been well considered and planned for over the last year. We are now ready to get out there and make our own contribution to help resolve the crisis that currently exists in so many of our communities with a significantly more ambitious development and growth programme. We have recruited an experienced development and sales team to fulfil our focus on development activity, bringing together a wealth of sector experience and knowledge.”
Sarah added: “We are currently working to grow the business relationships we need for developing more new homes and becoming a land-led developing organisation. We are also increasing our focus on working with private sector partners and other associations where we can achieve more together. Alongside our development ambitions, our focus will also be on investing in our existing homes and redeveloping where necessary, ensuring we always offer our customers great places to live.”
“All our new developments will aim to achieve the best possible design and efficiency standards providing high quality, safe, secure and affordable homes for our customers that make a positive contribution to their community.”
As part of the Wave 2 funding programme, Homes England has formed a strategic partnership with Together Housing, making £53m available to build new affordable homes. The new homes will be delivered through the partnership including us and Wakefield & District Housing. The partnership will build another 1,152 homes across the country over the next four years.
We also continue to lead the Accent Group Consortium, a development consortium of (currently) 14 housing associations. As lead partner, we manage the consortium and the funding programmes with Homes England. Since its formation in 2006, the consortium has received more than £300M of grant funding for affordable housing. By 2021, the partnership will have delivered over 4,800 homes.
