New affordable homes ready in time for Christmas

This week, local housing association, First Choice Homes Oldham (FCHO), has taken handover of 18 new family homes for affordable rent at housing developments in Oldham and Rochdale in time for Christmas.

The properties are part of FCHO’s strategy to build 700 new, sustainable homes in Oldham, Rochdale, Tameside, Kirklees, and Calderdale by 2026.

By delivering more new homes for affordable rent, rent to buy and shared ownership, the provider aims to meet housing need and make home ownership possible for more people.

In Heywood, the last two four-bedroom family homes were finished at the Spindles housing scheme, delivered in partnership with Greater Manchester developer, House Crowd Developments.

The handovers mark the completion of the six-home, £1.5m project on Victoria Street which has transformed the former office-building site into a quality, modern housing development.

Additionally, the first 16 family houses at FCHO’s Tanners Fold build in Fitton Hill, Oldham, were completed ready for customers to move into.

On the former site of St Cuthbert’s church the housing association is bringing forward 24 three-bedroom homes with Middleton-based construction partner, J. Walker Homes.

Work started on site in September, 2021, and practical completion is set for spring, 2023.

Tara Hulme from Rochdale is among the new customers moving into a new home at the Spindles development in time for Christmas.

For her and her six children, the property means they haven’t had to face homelessness.

Tara said: “I was renting privately before, but my landlord served a Section 21 notice when he wanted his house back.

"We had to find somewhere else to live or become homeless.

“I’m so grateful for this house – it means so much for us.

"It’s smart, cosy for us all, with a good back garden for the kids to play out and I can’t wait to move in.”

Joel Owen, FCHO’s Director of Development, said: “As is the case in many other parts of the country, demand for social housing in Rochdale and Oldham significantly outstrips supply and increasing the number of affordable homes for people is more urgent than ever.

“Sadly, stories like Tara’s are not uncommon and that’s why we’re building as many new homes as we can to help meet local need, and making sure they are sustainable, economical to run and fit for the future.

“Completion of the Spindles project and the first handovers at the Cottons and Tanners Fold are a great way to round off the year.

“I’d like to thank all our partners for their continued support and we look forward to moving closer to our ambitious development targets in the year ahead.”

To help FCHO keep up momentum on supply of new properties, the provider currently has 268 houses and apartments under construction across ten development schemes in Oldham, Rochdale and Kirklees, and it is on track to take handover of 144 homes in the financial year ending March, 2023.

---

Do you have a story for us? Want to tell us about something going on in and around Oldham? Let us know by emailing news@oldham-chronicle.co.uk , calling our Oldham-based newsroom on 0161 633 2121 , tweeting us @oldhamchronicle or messaging us through our Facebook page. All contact will be treated in confidence.