Crawley is set to be the future home for many key workers as construction work on much needed new affordable homes is now underway.

Following from the success of the Pegler Way development in Crawley, Gentect Homes will now deliver 40 new homes for Genesis Housing Group at a site near the Tushmore Roundabout. The development will include 14 two-bedroomed homes available for key workers to buy through the shared ownership scheme. The remaining mix of one and two-bedroomed flats will be available for rent.

The homes will be developed through the Challenge Fund II Programme, which brings together the land assets of national regeneration agency, English Partnerships, with the Housing Corporation's affordable housing investment programme to create homes for key workers. Gentect Homes, its architects bptw partnership and contractors Allenbuild South East will be responsible for delivering the new homes.

Steve Coleman, Genesis Group Development Director said; "We are extremely pleased to be building more high quality affordable homes in Crawley. As with the Pegler Way development, completed in February, this project is a fine example that by working in partnership with others we can provide homes in areas where supply is low. We are very much looking forward to seeing the end results in 2007."

Sue Gray of the Housing Partnership, which supports joint working between English Partnerships and the Housing Corporation, added: "Crawley is an area of housing pressure and these homes will help provide additional choice and home ownership opportunities for local key workers. This is an excellent example of public agencies working together to pool their resources and work effectively with a housing association to deliver good quality, innovative new homes."

Councillor Brenda Burgess, Crawley Borough Council's executive member for housing, said: "There is a big demand for homes for key workers in Crawley. It is very important that affordable homes are available for those people who are so vital to the success of the town. I'm very pleased to see that work has started on this development which includes rented as well as shared-ownership flats."

The properties are scheduled for completion in June 2007.

Notes to Editors:

Genesis Housing Group provides homes and services to tens of thousands of people across London and the south east. The Group consists of PCHA, Sutherland, Pathmeads and Springboard housing associations. We also have in our group a charitable foundation, Genesis Community. We are one of the largest and most successful housing groups in the UK, owning and/or managing more than 45,000 homes. Our overiding aim is to put customers first and provide excellent service to all.

As part of the Challenge Fund II Programme, Genesis is committed to delivering more than 750 affordable homes on a number of sites across the south-east of which 56 will be built in Crawley.

Gentect Homes is a development agency comprising seven equal shareholders including a registered social landlord, four construction and developer contractors and two architects. Recently a finalist in the Housing Corporation Gold Awards, this innovative partnering alliance represents a new approach to the development of housing where all of the parties are centrally managed as one organisation to help to remove the duplication of processes, minimise development risk and guarantee delivery.

The Housing Partnership (THP) facilitates joint working between English Partnerships and the Housing Corporation to address the need for more affordable homes. It does so by bringing together English Partnerships expertise in land and development with the Housing Corporation's affordable housing investment and regulatory expertise. For further information see www.englishpartnerships.co.uk or www.housingcorp.gov.uk

bptw partnership is a leading architectural practice with extensive experience in sustainable residential design. Recently recognised with various prestigious awards, including the Building for Life Silver Standard and Building magazine's Architectural Practice of the Year, bptw partnership has an established reputation for creative design and an innovative approach to partnering,. The practice consistently delivering delivers exciting, sustainable results for communities. For further information visit www.bptw.co.uk

Allenbuild Ltd South East a wholly-owned subsidiary of Renew Group PLC, is one of the top 30 construction companies in the UK. Allenbuild South East undertakes a new build, refurbishment and other contracts throughout London and the South East, in both the public and private sectors. It has a track record of design and build and partnering within the commercial, social housing, health and education sectors.