Tenants have been officially handed the keys to their newly built council homes which are just some of the 1,000 properties being delivered as part of an ambitious drive to provide new council homes in the city.
Leeds City Council leader Councillor Keith Wakefield had the honour this month of meeting a number of tenants at the new homes, which are located in Beeston Hill.
Overall, the council plans to build 1,000 new council homes across the city by 2018/19, with 275 of these properties being built in Beeston Hill and Holbeck.
As well as the new houses, 383 homes in the area are being refurbished to revitalise the communities as part of the housing regeneration project.
Councillor Keith Wakefield, leader of Leeds City Council, said:
“Being able to present tenants with the keys to their brand new council home has given me a real sense of pride in what we’ve been able to achieve on their behalf.
“This is not just about bricks and mortar; by investing in council housing on this scale we are improving the quality of life for residents who move into these homes and helping them create a community they can be proud to live in.
“With the housing regeneration project we have tangible proof of our vision of Leeds as the best city to live, the best city for health and well-being and the best city for children.”
Councillor Peter Gruen, executive member for neighbourhoods, planning and personnel, said:
“With innovation, determination and partnership working, we’ve achieved really positive results.
“It’s our great pleasure to give tenants a very warm welcome to their new and refurbished homes in Little London, Beeston and Holbeck.
“We want to provide 1,000 new council homes by 2018/19 and we haven’t seen this level of council house building for 30 years. With more properties being completed in the coming months and with more sites being prepared for new council homes across the city we are definitely delivering on our ambitions.”
Jon Hinchliff, sc4L General Manager, said:
“The entire sc4L team are pleased with the progress being made in delivering great new homes for people in Leeds, and working with the council to make sure that we give work opportunities to local people too.
“As we hand over homes to tenants, our long-term commitment to the community in Beeston Hill and Holbeck is being further strengthened as we’re proud to be at the heart of the wider regeneration of the area.”
