Home, in partnership with Harrow Council, are on track to provide nearly 800 new homes, almost 300 more than previously available, by 2014. A vibrant new community is emerging with properties available for rent, private sale and through Home’s shared equity scheme.
(From left to right: Gareth Thomas MP for Harrow West, Housing Minister John Healey MP, Home resident Paula Hackett and Jonathan Higgs Managing Director for Home Group's south region.)
The extra homes, plus the choice of tenures, new surroundings and access to local amenities means more local people are attracted to living at Rayners Lane.
The Housing Minister was very positive about the progress Home Group has made so far and said: “Seeing first hand the work going on makes clear the value and power of public investment. The new homes are spacious, warm with plenty of room and would not look out of place on a private housing development.”
The Minister visited Home resident Paula Hackett who has lived at Rayners Lane estate all her life. Paula recently moved into her rented family house at Harmony Terrace. She told the Minister: “My new house is just brilliant, so much better than the flat we were living in before. Now people come round to visit me all the time, I am so proud of my new place and it feels so much safer. The regeneration work going on here is excellent the whole community is improving.”
Gareth Thomas MP for Harrow West accompanied the Housing Minister along with Jonathon Higgs, Managing Director for Home Groups south region.
Jonathan said: ‘We have been working with local residents to build not just homes but a community here. Taken together the community centre, the children’s centre, the shop, the sports zone, and employment and training programmes all contribute to the success of this project.’