Onward meets Hyndburn MP Sarah Smith
Local MP Sarah Smith joined Onward Homes earlier this month to learn about how we make a difference to residents and communities across Hyndburn.
Onward own and manage 3,400 homes across Hyndburn and welcomed the MP to share updates on our plans to deliver more homes and improve existing ones through the Social Housing Decarbonisation Fund Wave 2.1.
During the visit, we updated the MP on the Lockside Walk development where 127 new affordable homes are being delivered with North West based contractor Watson Homes using state of the art Modern Methods of Construction. Once complete, the scheme will deliver a mix of affordable rent and shared ownership homes, in response to local housing needs, enabling more local people to put down roots in the area.
Elsewhere across Hyndburn, Onward is also delivering energy efficiency improvements to 126 homes, which will make these warmer, quieter and more comfortable for residents. Working with low carbon energy experts, Equans, Onward is installing a range of measures in homes that will bring the homes up to an EPC C.
MP for Hyndburn, Sarah Smith said:
“When visiting the site, I discussed with Onward the importance of housing meeting decent standards for Hyndburn and Haslingden residents.
“It’s vital that housing associations also provide wider support for residents and are able to quickly resolve problems that they may have. I’m supportive of the Government’s plans to build 1.5 million homes and increase the availability for social rent. The Government is also developing plans to support those wishing to downsize so that more family homes are available. Working with local housing associations like Onward is essential in this process.
“As a member of the House of Commons Select Committee for Housing, Communities and Local Government, I’ll be using this role to scrutinise, examine and contribute to housing policy. These duties are always undertaken to put Hyndburn and Haslingden on the map and improve our local housing needs.”
Joanne Danaher, Director of Housing and Home Ownership at Onward, said:
“Onward is committed to working with local partners, including elected members, to do more for our customers and communities. We work with organisations that share our vision to make a positive impact and through our dedicated 1st Call team we have also supported thousands of Hyndburn residents this year with financial, housing, and skills support.
Our Lockside Walk scheme will help boost the supply of quality affordable homes in the area, enabling more local people to find a place to call home. Through our retrofit programme, we’re also delivering major improvements to customers’ homes across Hyndburn that will ultimately make these warmer, more comfortable and easier to run.
“It was great to have the opportunity to show Sarah the work that we have been doing to make a difference in our communities and our plans for the future.”