Families' new homes joy

Six delighted families have moved off the housing waiting list and into new homes near Cannock thanks to South Staffordshire Housing Association.

The new residents were handed keys to homes that have regenerated a former colliery site in Comfrey Close, Huntington.

Among the delighted new tenants on the development is 25-year-old Lindsay Lewis, who has three young daughters and has now been able to move out of a cramped two-bed place into a brand new three-bedroomed house.

"I have three growing girls and we were a bit cramped before," said Lindsay, mother of Jordan, aged six, Ashleigh, three, and Kaicee, 16 months.

"When South Staffordshire Housing Association called to let me know there was a new property available nearby and that I could go and look at it, I was very excited. When I got there I was shaking with excitement. I could not believe it and it is just such a lovely new home."

The new homes, some of which are for shared ownership, are being developed as part of a wider project over the next three years, which will see a total of 94 units made available on the site of the former Huntington colliery.

South Staffordshire Housing Association is managing the affordable homes on the site and has worked with the developer and local council to ensure that these particular properties will remain affordable in the future.

It is committed to supplying 28 rented units and 66 shared ownership homes over the next three years.

Nicki Eve, housing services manager for South Staffordshire Housing Association, said: "We are delighted to have been able to help Lindsay and her daughters into their new home.

"This first phase of the scheme has enabled us to take six families off the local housing waiting list, addressing a shortage of affordable housing in the areas.

"It is about building sustainable, integrated communities and this forms part of a larger development in partnership with a private developer and South Staffordshire Council.

"South Staffordshire Housing Association is committed to continuing to provide new, high-quality, affordable homes across the area and looks forward to releasing the next homes in Huntington as soon as possible."