Cornish Homes for the Future

The DCH Director of Investment revealed that the Cornwall housing register had soared to 20,000 and that DCH’s four-year building programme aimed for 400 new affordable homes a year from 2012.

“We want to support local communities and economies,” Mr Connolly stated and described how the new developments would create jobs. “We are here to help people thrive,” he added.

The group have recently competed for funding on the ‘national stage’ and it is planned that 36% of the group’s new affordable homes will be in Cornwall. Over the past four years, DCH’s housebuilding in the county has averaged 224 new affordable homes per year, with a further 349 under construction for rent and affordable home ownership. This includes a significant rural housing programme, working with local parishes to provide good quality homes and environments, such as a £2.7m scheme at St Stephen, near St Austell.

One of the larger mixed tenure schemes at Dolcoath is part of the Camborne-Redruth regeneration, which already has 23 homes let. Meadow Flats, a new landmark development at St Ives has been designed in context with the Tate gallery, and includes 26 rented sheltered apartments for the elderly. “It will generate local employment and prosperity,” Mr Connolly commented, describing it as a “flagship” and a “fantastic development.”

But he pointed out to the large audience that the local grant levels from 2011-12 onwards will be reduced from £60,000-£65,000 per affordable home to around £18,000, requiring sub-market rents to cover the gap.

He also emphasised the work of Westco (the development subsidiary of DCH), the cooperation with Cornwall Council and the work of Partnership South West and Advantage South West set up to create economies of scale and best practise procurement in the development process.

Speaking of the achievements and challenges, Andy Moore, PHA Chief Executive, said many hundreds of homes and thousands of residents had benefited from the giant ‘Decent Homes’ scheme with over £3m spent in the last financial year and with over 1,500 new kitchens and bathrooms and 450 heating systems fitted over the course of the five year programme.

“We are particularly proud of this – and it should continue,” Mr Moore commented at the AGM. Hundreds of homes had also benefited from increased insulation and double-glazing.

He looked forward to the progress of the group amalgamation in meeting housing needs in Cornwall. Over 84% of PHA residents had given their support to the amalgamation and Board changes would occur by next April.

“Over 160 homes have been finished and let over the last year, thanks to successful partnerships with Cornwall Council, the Homes and Communities Agency and others. And since April, over 50 new homes have been let in St Ives and a good number in Camborne and Bodmin.”He continued to describe how future funding had been substantially reduced despite the great need and the statements by almost all politicians.

The cuts in finance for homes would make a “significant impact,” he declared. “We face a 65% cut in government funding for new housing, requiring an increased contribution from rent to support affordable homes.We face challenging times with less public money for new homes, housing and community support with changes to rents and housing benefits in the pipeline.We need to work smarter, be innovative, make better use of our resources, promote our successes, demonstrate the value of what we do to maintain the support of our residents, councillors and other partners.”

In praising the hard work and loyalty of the PHA staff, Mr Moore said the ‘Investors in People’ award had been retained and one for a ‘healthy workplace’ gained.

Gail Hunt, PHA Chair of Board, made presentations to five retiring board members: Vice- Chair Peter Ede, Carol Bosworth, Norman Emberson, Mike Smith and Caroline White, who had all served a combined total of 71 years.In welcoming the guests and members she congratulated Mr and Mrs Putt of Penzance on winning the annual gardening competition.