A Greater Manchester-based landlord has joined JV North to capitalise on the forthcoming Social and Affordable Homes Programme (SAHP).
First Choice Homes Oldham becomes the consortium’s 15th member as the 11,500-home housing association embarks on a new four-year development strategy.
It will strive to meet the government’s agenda of delivering 60% of properties at social rent through a design and typology focused approached that meet the needs of its communities.
First Choice Homes Oldham plans to kickstart its newbuild programme with a flagship development next year.
Director of Development and Asset Strategy at First Choice Homes Oldham, Kat Kitchener, said: “Our mission is to construct affordable high-quality sustainable homes to meet our communities’ needs through mixed tenure, place-based design and varied housing options, including much-needed family homes.
“As we gear up to put spades in the ground, we believe JV North can support our development ambitions with access to the good-quality local contractors and consultants we need alongside a consortium based approach to access the new SAHP programme.
“It also provides the opportunity to collaborate with peers and share insight and expertise as we work together to tackle the chronic housing shortage.”
JV North Chair, John Bowker, said: “First Choice Homes Oldham is a great fit for the consortium as it has an ambitious housebuilding programme and all our members benefit when we work in close partnership with likeminded organisations willing to collaborate so we can build more homes.
“JV North is perfectly placed to help members navigate and deliver their housebuilding programmes as we move into the new SAHP with bidding set to open in February next year.
“Our new £500m contractor and consultant framework was launched this summer and added to this is our long-standing relationship with Homes England that has seen us build over 10,000 homes so far with c. 3,000 more planned in the next four years.”
Becoming a full member gives First Choice Homes Oldham a seat on JV North’s decision-making Board which is supported by the consortium’s programme management consultancy, Saffer Cooper that is led by Sean Stafford.
He said: “Kat brings a wealth of knowledge to the consortium having held senior development roles for housing associations where she was involved with JV North previously and private housebuilders too.
“The timing is perfect as the new SAHP fast approaches so we are looking forward to supporting First Choice Homes Oldham’s programme and also learning from its experiences in the market place as part of our ethos to share intelligence for the wider benefit of all members.”
JV North’s other members are Cobalt Housing, Cheshire Peaks & Plains Housing Trust, L&Q Housing Trust, Muir Group Housing Association, One Manchester, Plus Dane Housing, South Liverpool Homes, Southway Housing Trust, Stockport Homes Group, Stockport Metropolitan Borough Council, The Sovini Group, Torus, Weaver Vale Housing Trust and Wythenshawe Community Housing Group.
Photograph: Left to right: JV North Chair, John Bowker with First Choice Homes Oldham’s Kat Kitchener and Safford Cooper’s Sean Stafford.