In the last year (April 2021 – March 2022), Hightown Housing Association delivered 610 new affordable homes in Hertfordshire, Buckinghamshire and Bedfordshire. Around half of the new homes were houses and half flats. 25% of the new homes were for shared ownership and 75% for rent.
In total, Hightown built 448 new affordable homes for rent, 153 homes for shared ownership and nine homes for rent for supported housing. 90% of the new homes were built on brownfield sites.
Despite the pandemic and other challenges, the Association has built over 1,000 new affordable homes in the last two years and plans to build a further 1,000 affordable homes over the next two years. Hightown does not develop for open market sale or rent.
The new affordable homes mean that Hightown continues to be one of the fastest growing housing associations in the country while making a significant contribution to tackling the housing crisis in Hertfordshire, Buckinghamshire and Bedfordshire. Around 31% of Hightown’s lettings in 2021/22 went to homeless households which is well above the sector average.
Recent Hightown developments include 38 homes at Edge Street in Aylesbury; 44 homes at Poppy and Primrose Court in Hemel Hempstead; 55 homes at Rossway Quarter in Bushey; 56 homes at Monk Stone and Fearney Field in Chesham; and 50 homes at Dunkley Court and Hamilton Close in Buckingham.
David Bogle, Chief Executive at Hightown Housing Association, said: “I am delighted that Hightown has continued to deliver good quality, affordable new homes in our core areas of Hertfordshire, Buckinghamshire and Bedfordshire over the past year.
“The need for affordable housing for local people and families who are priced out of the market is greater than ever so we are proud to have delivered over 600 new affordable homes in 2021/22. Our successful growth as a social landlord over recent years has been due to the commitment and hard work of our Hightown staff and the partners, funders, consultants and contractors who support them.”
Hightown is currently in the process of building 155 new affordable homes in Maylands Avenue, Hemel Hempstead — close to its head office — as Phase Two of its Heart of Maylands development. The new phase will also add three new commercial units to the existing retail units in what has proved to be a thriving mixed use scheme in the Maylands Business Park. The development is due to complete in 2023.
Header image shows Hightown’s Hamilton Close housing development in Buckingham.
