Work is about to get underway on a new affordable homes project which will provide homes for 20 local families in the Abersoch area.
The affordable housing at Abersoch will include a mix of homes for local people to rent and buy. As part of the agreement, improvements will also be undertaken to the nearby Lôn Garmon road with parts of the highway to be widened and upgraded.
The £3 million affordable homes project at Abersoch has been made possible through joint working between Gwynedd Council, the North Wales Housing Association, Trinity Welsh Homes and the landowner, with £900,000 secured through the Welsh Assembly Government’s Social Housing grant.
Councillor Trefor Edwards, Gwynedd Council’s Housing Portfolio Leader said: “The shortage of suitable affordable homes for local people within our communities is one of biggest problems facing our young people. This important development shows that Gwynedd Council and its partners are working hard to help ensure a wide range of affordable housing developments to meet the needs of local people.
“We have recognised that there has been a significant lack of suitable affordable homes in the Abersoch area, with the average house price beyond the reach of many. Now that the funding is in place, we must move forward with this exciting new project and deliver quality affordable homes for local families in their own community.”
Helen White, Chair of the North Wales Housing Association added: “Everyone at North Wales Housing is really excited about building affordable homes in Abersoch. The popularity of the village as a holiday hotspot has put huge pressure on the local housing market and it’s been impossible to do anything to satisfy the demand for affordable homes from local people – until now. It’s been brought about by some great partnership working between ourselves, Gwynedd Council and Trinity Homes and now we’re looking forward to getting on with the job.”
Local Gwynedd Councillor R H Wyn Williams (Abersoch ward) noted: “I am very proud of the work which has been undertaken and the cooperation between Gwynedd Council, the landlord and North Wales Housing Association on this important project. I hope that these houses will go to local people and that they will be of a good environmental standard.”
Significant partnership working has been key for the Abersoch project since 2005 with a number of groups involved in identifying the need for affordable homes locally, identifying a suitable site and in delivering the project. These partners include Gwynedd Council, Llanengan Community Council, local elected members, the Gwynedd Rural Housing Enabler, local landowners, a local developer, and North Wales Housing Association.
The development in Abersoch is one of a number of affordable housing projects underway at present in the Pen Llŷn area. There are 14 affordable homes built by Cymdeithas Tai Eryri nearing completion in Morfa Nefyn, with a further 12 homes being built in Botwnnog which should be completed this summer.
Since the Gwynedd Affordable Homes project was established in 2003, more than 270 families have benefited from the initiative by finding a home to suit their needs.
The project includes:
- building new houses
- helping people who are without a permanent home
- supporting landlords to bring empty properties back on to the rental market
- providing information for people who are in need of affordable housing
For more information about Gwynedd’s affordable housing project, visit the Council website on: www.gwynedd.gov.uk/affordablehousing, telephone 01286 679498 or email: [email protected]
