Westlea named as Housing Corporation approved partner

Westlea's new status as a Housing Corporation Approved Partner will mean more new affordable homes like these, recently completed in Trowbridge.

Westlea Housing has been named as an 'Approved Development Partner' by the Housing Corporation – the Government agency for affordable housing in England.

The news came at the same time the Government announced it will be investing £8 billion over the next three years in affordable and social housing – a 50% increase on current spending. Housing Minister Yvette Cooper launched the Government's Housing Green Paper in Parliament this week.

" This is a major step forward for Westlea and a vote of confidence in us by the Housing Corporation," said Ann Cornelius, Westlea's Executive Director (Operations).
Westlea is currently a member of the Sovereign Development Consortium with Sovereign acting as lead approved partner. This arrangement involves Sovereign liaising with the Housing Corporation on Westlea's behalf.

" With this elevation in status to Approved Partner, Westlea will have the opportunity to have a direct and close relationship with the Housing Corporation and receive social housing grant direct from them from April 2008 onwards," said Ann Cornelius.

" This new status means we're committed to deliver a major development programme with a social housing grant requirement of more than of £15 million. We're excited by the challenge and have established a strong development team here at Westlea to work on our plans to provide many more high quality affordable homes for local people at a time when they are needed more than ever."