Wigan plans 400 homes with HCA cash
AROUND 400 houses will be built in Wigan after social landlords secured grants worth nearly £10m form the Homes & Communities Agency (HCA).
Wigan Council and Wigan and Leigh Housing are to build 112 homes on three sites including the former Towns Yard in Hindley. Adactus Housing Association will build 188 homes at a number of locations and St. Helens-based Helena Partnerships will deliver a scheme for older people at the site of the former Abraham Guest School in Orrell.
Most of the properties will be available for people on the council’s social housing waiting list to rent. There are currently around 3,000 people waiting for a home in Wigan Borough.
Councillor David Molyneux, deputy leader of Wigan Council, said: “It is great news the council, along with other local housing providers, have successfully secured this funding. I’m sure construction of these schemes will provide a significant boost to the local building industry but more importantly will help us address the need for more affordable homes across Wigan Borough.
“These homes will be available to those on our housing waiting list and in particular there will be smaller properties which we need to help us manage the impact of welfare reform and the borough’s increasing older population.”
The money is part of the HCA’s £886m commitment towards the construction of nearly 44,000 homes across the country. In the North West the investment will help develop 8,500 units.
