Stuart GouldenThe tenants of York’s first new council houses to be built in over 20 years will take part in naming their new street as part of City of York Council’s Housing Week, which runs from 5-9 November.
To be known as Archer Close, in honour of former Lord Mayor of York Jack Archer, the tenants of the family homes have been invited to celebrate and meet their new neighbours in the community.
The event marks the official opening of the 19 new homes in Clifton, funded by £1.12 million from the Homes and Communities Agency. The houses have achieved sustainability level 5 award – two levels higher than the current standard in York. To achieve this they have photovoltaic solar panels together with high levels of insulation.
The ceremony is part of York’s first ever Housing Week, which aims to bring residents and tenants, builders and landlords from the private and social housing sectors together with a wide range of talks, visits and meetings across the city given by leading academics and professionals.
Abdul A Ravat, Area Manager for the Homes and Communities Agency said: “It is great news that our investment of £1,249,810 will mean that City of York Council can provide new homes for 19 local families. The homes consisting of 9 two bed and 10 three bed houses have been built to Code 5 and have been designed with the aim of achieving a Building for Life Silver award.
The fact that these homes will be built to the highest standards means that not only will tenants save money on their utility bills, but also there will be less CO2 produced helping to protect the environment for future generations.”
Councillor Tracey Simpson-Laing, cabinet member for Health, Housing and Adult Social Services who is speaking at the event said: “I am honoured to be speaking at the naming ceremony of Archer Close, the first newly-built -and much needed – council houses in the city in over 20 years. The sustainable build and insulation level of the houses is excellent and shows how we as a council strive to help tenants live in healthy, comfortable and affordable homes that are designed for life time living, a standard that we aspire to meet for homes across the city.”
