A disused office block in Hemel Hempstead’s town centre has been transformed by Hightown Housing Association into 33 new flats for local people in housing need.
Charter Court, located on Midland Road in Hemel Hempstead, provides 16 one-bedroom and 17 two-bedroom apartments for people on Dacorum Borough Council’s housing needs list.
During an opening event on Wednesday 17 May, Cllr Ron Tindall, the new leader of Dacorum Borough Council, declared the homes officially open. Also attending the event was local councillor Sadie Hobson (representing the Hemel Town ward), Hightown’s Chief Executive and Chair of the Board, representatives from Homes England and Thomas Sinden, the contractor responsible for the redevelopment.
The former two storey office block, previously occupied by a holiday leisure company, has been completely transformed. Two new storeys have been added, along with new brick cladding and the windows have been repositioned, giving the whole building a modern new look. The block also has an underground car park for residents.
The redevelopment benefitted from grant funding from Homes England which meant all the flats could be leased for rent and allocated to those in housing need.
David Bogle, Chief Executive at Hightown Housing Association, said:
“We are thrilled to have partnered with Dacorum Borough Council and Thomas Sinden to give this former office block a new lease of life and provide safe and affordable homes for those priced out of renting at market rates. Residents moving into these properties will benefit …. I am very grateful to Homes England for their grant funding which has helped us to deliver more affordable housing at a time when the cost of living is rising.”
Cllr Ron Tindall, Leader of Dacorum Borough Council adds,
“It’s been wonderful to see these new homes and officially open them. We always need good quality affordable homes for residents in Dacorum and I’m sure the new residents will enjoy living in these modern, bright and well-located apartments. ”
To help fix the homelessness and housing crisis, Hightown plans to build over 1,000 homes in Hertfordshire, Bedfordshire and Buckinghamshire over the next two years.
