A development partnership set up to empower housing associations and community groups to build many more affordable homes in Yorkshire and Humber is having an increasing impact across the region.
The Unity Community Development Consortium (UCDC) was established in May 2021 by Leeds-based BME housing association Unity Homes and Enterprise in the wake of the pandemic, which had such a detrimental effect on housebuilding.
Over the past five years, the partnership has expanded in size and, alongside founding members including Chartford Housing, now incorporates equally well-known organisations such as Manningham Housing Association (MHA), Hull and East Yorkshire Mind, Harrogate Housing Association and Hull Churches.
UCDC is currently supporting Chartford Housing to secure additional properties in West Yorkshire for some of the most vulnerable people in the region.
It has recently supported BME provider MHA to acquire 36 large family homes at Odette’s Point in Keighley, 19 two- and three-bedroomed houses at Victoria Road in Bradford and a large extended family house also in Bradford. MHA’s board has also approved a programme to deliver 150 new homes over the next five years and asked UCDC to continue their invaluable support.
Harrogate Housing Association will soon begin building work on 20 new affordable properties with planning expertise provided by the consortium.
On behalf of Hull Churches, UCDC has exchanged contracts for the acquisition of 12 two-bedroomed houses to be let to local people.
Although not formally part of the consortium, UCDC has supported Pickering and Ferens in achieving their development aspirations and to date have been involved in delivering over 40 new homes, facilitating the acquisition of 25 properties via a Section 106 agreement with Persimmon Homes and developing a healthy pipeline of new opportunities using local Hull based developers.
Wayne Noteman, Director of Regeneration at Unity Homes and Enterprise
Wayne Noteman, Director of Regeneration at Unity Homes and Enterprise, said the consortium provides pivotal assistance to each member’s development aspirations in lots of different ways, including by sharing best practice expertise and pooling financial resources.
He commented: “As a relatively small BME housing association managing around 1,400 affordable homes, Unity has a long-established reputation for punching above our weight.
“By setting up the Unity Community Development Consortium with colleagues in Yorkshire and Humber, we wanted to use the vast experience we have built up over almost four decades.
“This has already paid significant dividends across the region with many more affordable properties either completed, in development, acquired from the open market or progressing through planning, than would otherwise have been the case.
“Not all providers have the staff or resources to deliver standalone projects that expand their housing stock. By drawing on the professional support of other consortium members, we have made a real difference and hope to accelerate that progress in the months and years ahead.”
He added: “We are proud to have recently received confirmation that we continue to qualify as a Homes England Investment Partner for the new Social and Affordable Homes Programme, allowing Unity Homes and Enterprise and all our partners to obtain grant funding.”
Cedric Boston, Unity Homes and Enterprise Chief Executive, said: “We are proud of the role Unity has played in putting the partnership together, growing its membership and increasing the volume of affordable homes being built in Yorkshire and Humber for people who need them most.
“As well as delivering new properties and acquiring existing properties from the open market for affordable rent, UCDC has also successfully facilitated the transfer of housing stock from other Registered Providers.”