New Croydon council homes unveiled

The first council homes built for Croydon residents by local developer Brick By Brick have been completed and unveiled today (Monday).

Three borough residents who had been on the council housing waiting list have now moved into the brand new one-bedroom flats in Thornton Heath and will pay council rents.

Named Flora Court after local First World War soldier Flora Sandes, the development in Chipstead Avenue was unveiled on Monday by the council’s deputy leader Councillor Alison Butler alongside one of the new council tenants, council staff and Brick By Brick’s development team.

Brick By Brick was created by the council to build over 2,000 good-quality homes on council land, including around half as affordable homes, with profits reinvested in the borough. Each of the three new council homes at Flora Court has its own private balcony or garden, sustainable heating, and is a short walk from the library, local shops and public transport.

New resident Blanche Takwi, 46, had to move into temporary accommodation last year because a serious illness meant she could no longer continue her job as a qualified care support worker or stay in her old flat. Her new council home in Flora Court means she is close to the hospital and her GP as her recovery continues.

She said: “I’m so excited and so happy to be here today; I never thought I would be in a flat like this.”

In addition to the three newly-completed council homes, Flora Court also has 24 shared ownership homes due to complete early in the New Year. Anyone buying a 25% share in one of these shared ownership flats costing £315,000 will pay £78,750 and put down a 5% deposit costing £3,688.

“Ensuring people have affordable homes to live in is a top priority for the council. These new council homes are spacious, top-quality places to live and they underline why we set up Brick By Brick in the first place.

“I hope our new council tenants will be very happy in their new homes, and I look forward to many more Brick By Brick schemes like this one that will deliver decent housing for our residents.”

Councillor Alison Butler, deputy leader and cabinet member for homes and Gateway services

Colm Lacey, CEO of Brick By Brick, said: “Brick By Brick was set up to deliver beautifully-designed, high-quality homes that are accessible for local people. Flora Court epitomises this approach, providing 24 homes for shared ownership as well as three homes for the council to house those most in need, and we are exceptionally proud of this development.”

Brick By Brick’s first homes for private sale in Upper Norwood launched earlier this year, and its contractors are building dozens of other housing developments across the borough. More are in the pipeline, including plans for over 300 affordable homes in New Addington.

2019-12-16T18:08:53+00:00 December 16th, 2019|Recent news|