Housing Solicitors

A housing association has developed a house costing just £75,000 excluding the cost of land, which it says can be developed without any grant funding.

Social housing publisher 24Dash reports that Helena Partnerships – part of the housing group Torus – has used the “Haus60” concept for a new development comprising 24 semi-detached homes in St Helens, Merseyside. The Code for Sustainable Homes Level 3-compliant house has been developed in association with Paragon Construction.

The Haus60 has been designed specifically to address the challenges faced by many housing associations in maximising available land and minimising costs.

Torus growth director Steve Moore said:

“Like most housing associations, we’re operating under considerable pressure.

“In the wake of welfare reform, there’s a growing demand for two-bed homes, a general shortage of new affordable housing – and a lack of available land to build on.

“To meet local need, we needed to adapt and think more proactively about how we create new supply.

“Haus60 offered us a viable, affordable solution.”

Paragon Construction managing director Paul Barrow added:

“Haus60 is designed to offer social landlords a standardised, non-grant funded build that is fully scalable to meet individual needs – and cost-effective too.”

Duncan Lewis Housing Solicitors

Duncan Lewis housing solicitors can advise social housing tenants on a wide range of housing matters, including access to housing and local authorities’ obligations to house (Section 193 of the Housing Act 1925).

Duncan Lewis is a leading provider of Legal Aid housing services and can also advise on:

• Disrepair of rented property
• Housing benefit
• Housing possession
• Nuisance neighbours
• Tenancy agreements
• Unlawful eviction.

For expert legal advice on social housing and housing law, call Duncan Lewis housing solicitors on 020 7923 4020.