From wasted garages, prefabricated and outdated homes, to beautifully designed, energy efficient new homes. Cross Street, Cavalier Place and Eldon Street; three roads at the heart of Chatham town centre which have been radically transformed into one community, providing modern, energy efficient homes for rent and shared ownership. Since 2014, regional housing association, mhs homes, has invested almost £12 million transforming The Brook area. The residential regeneration scheme involved redeveloping the three sites, previously occupied by derelict garages, poorly insulated, prefabricated bungalows, and outdated and unpopular bedsit flats. The development was shortlisted last year for an Inside Housing Award as 'Best Regeneration Project outside London'. A total of 77 new homes have been provided across the three sites, 66 of which are affordable; 44 for affordable rent and 22 for shared ownership. The other 11 are market rent homes. “Our work at The Brook in Chatham is an outstanding example of urban regeneration combining three sites to form one community.” “Our ultimate ambition is to help end the housing crisis in north Kent. By 2021 we’ll build at least 600 new homes, of which at least 85% will be affordable”, Stephanie added. Cross Street is the final phase of this three-part development and was completed in late April, with a complementary opening event held by mhs homes and their partner Chartway Group on April 25, 2018. The development was presented to local councillors, stakeholders and local residents to celebrate the recent wave of transformation in The Brook area. It offers 50 new homes; 20 affordable rent, 11 market rent and 19 shared ownership homes, which are available through mhs homes' sales agent, Red Loft. Tim McLoughlin, Projects Director at Chartway Group commented: “The completion of this scheme is a real success story for all those involved. It’s been a pleasure to deliver these energy efficient, modern homes in a key location and we’re proud to say we built them.” The development is part of a larger project to help regenerate Medway’s city centre. Cllr Howard Doe, Deputy Leader of Medway Council and Portfolio Holder for Housing and Community Services, said: “There are a lot of ambitious plans for Chatham and we’re already starting to fulfil them. This development compliments the council’s regeneration programme which will provide further growth and housing opportunities in Chatham town centre and across Medway. mhs homes has transformed the area and future residents will be proud to live in their new homes.” Our subsidiary, Heart of Medway, has received over £1m in grant funding from Homes England, formerly The Homes and Communities Agency (HCA). This is split between the affordable rent and shared ownership homes across the three sites. Carol Cairns, Head of Home Ownership and Supply for the South East for Homes England said: “We’re pleased to have provided funding to enable mhs to provide these homes for both shared ownership and affordable rent, which are an excellent example of Homes England’s commitment to increase the supply of affordable homes.” Steven Harper, aged 54, moved into his affordable rent home in Constance House, Cross Street, last month. He used to live at Bligh Way in Strood but was relocated through an innovative new scheme. For the first time ever, a unique agreement with Medway Council allowed us to hold 25% of the new homes at Cross Street to offer to our existing tenants. “It's a very nice, clean building. It's right on top of the high street, thumbs up to whoever thought about building these homes here, it's really helped to change the area around”, Steven said. “If people want decent housing this is the way forward – building this kind of property”, he added. Special thanks to the Communications Team at mhs homes for providing the press release and relevant images.
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August 2023
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