Pegler Way is set to become home for many of Crawley's key workers as work on essential new homes is completed.

The 16 new two-bedroomed flats are the first properties to be completed by Genesis Housing Group in the town and will be available for key workers to buy through a shared ownership scheme.

The homes have been provided 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, along with partners bptw architects and Allenbuild are responsible for delivering the new properties.

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. Fifty-six of these homes will be built in Crawley.

Steve Coleman, Genesis Group Development Director said: "These homes are the first properties developed by Genesis Housing Group in Crawley and we are delighted with the finished result.

This has been an exciting project to be involved with and the results have shown that by working in partnership with others we can provide high quality affordable homes in areas where supply is low."

Sue Gray of the Housing Partnership added: "Crawley is an area of housing pressure and these first 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 Stephen Joyce, Crawley Council's executive member for Housing said; "It's great to see these completed new homes from Genesis, affordable housing is one of the biggest issues facing local people. Key workers such as teachers and nurses are vital to our well-being and I hope to see many more similar developments being built in the future."

Modern methods of construction such as the craning in of bathroom pods were used during the construction of the homes.

The properties will be available to own from 6th February 2006 and will be sold through Sutherland, a subsidiary of Genesis Housing Group.

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For further information please contact:

Jayne Williams
Marketing, Press & PR Officer
Genesis Housing Group
0208 150 4178
Jayne.williams@ghg.org.uk

Notes to Editors:

Genesis Housing Group is one of the UK's largest and most successful providers of homes for rent and sale. The Group currently consists of PCHA, Sutherland, Pathmeads and Springboard housing associations. Together the Group owns and/or manages more than 40,000 homes across London and the south east.

Sutherland is a subsidiary of the Genesis Housing Group, providing home ownership and intermediate rent opportunities for first time buyers and key workers who are unable to access a home of their own within the private sector where open market property prices are very high and rents are expensive.

The Housing Partnership(THP) was created in 2002 to increase joint working between English Partnerships and the Housing Corporation to address the urgent need for more affordable homes and help deliver the objectives of the government's Sustainable Communities Plan. By bring together English Partnerships' assets and land development expertise with the Housing Corporation's affordable housing investment programmes and regulatory expertise, THP has been able to maximise the impact of both programmes. Collaboration between the regional offices of the two agencies is also now reflected in a range of joint strategic projects across the country.
For further information see www.englishpartnerships.co.uk or www.housingcorp.gov.uk

bptw partnership is an award-winning architecturally-led practice with extensive experience in sustainable residential design. Recently named Building magazine's Architectural Practice of the Year, bptw partnership has an established reputation for creative designs and an innovative approach to partnering, delivering responsible results for communities.

Allenbuild Ltd South East a wholly-owned subsidiary of Montpellier 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.