Family Housing is working in partnership with Black Country Housing Association and developer CALA Homes to increase affordable housing in the region.

This month will see some of the first residents moving into a development of 87 new homes at Brierley Place in Coseley, thanks to Government funding allocated by the Homes and Communities Agency (HCA).

An injection of £5.38 million of funding through the HCA’s Kickstart Programme  allowed the development to restart after it stalled due to economic conditions.

As well as providing 21 much-needed new homes for local residents, there will be 66 properties for affordable rent.

Family Housing has 32 homes, which are a mix of four, three and two-bedroom semi, terraced and detached homes, and Black Country Housing has 34 homes to rent to residents.

The development is being built by Birmingham-based house builder CALA Homes, which according to the 2009 HBF survey figures, is ranked as the number one housebuilder in the UK for customer satisfaction.

The development consists of a mix of family houses and apartments on the five acre, former industrial site boarded by Batmans Hill Road, Brierley Lane and Purdy Road, on the boundary between Bilston, Coseley and Tipton.

Some of the south facing properties are having solar roof panels fitted to help assist the heating systems generate greater efficiency and reduce carbon emissions.

Our development manager Chris Loizou said: “This project has been the largest development for Family Housing in 2010. It is great to see regional developers and housing associations working together in the current climate to ensure that we are meeting the regions affordable housing needs.

“Family Housing is committed to reducing carbon emissions and developing sustainable homes in places where local people want to live.”

Darren Humphreys, managing director of CALA Homes (midlands) said: “Kickstart funding has enabled us to develop the site much sooner than we would otherwise have been able in the present market conditions.”

West Midlands director at the HCA Paul Spooner said: “The Kickstart Programme really helped to unlock stalled housing developments in the West Midlands last year and this scheme at Coseley is a great example.

“I am delighted to see the scheme almost complete, bringing more new homes for local people and boosting the local economy.”

Family Housing is also working on a development of 24 homes being built by Lovell Homes.

A mix of three and four-bedroom homes, and two-bedroom apartments will be available for rent, part ownership and intermediate market rent.

The development will start in January 2011 and is due to be completed by early 2012.