Affordable homes development to get under way

The homes will be built on vacant land off Harrogate Street and Amberley Street

Work on a £23.6m housing development of 96 affordable homes is due to get under way.

North East-based not-for-profit housing association, Thirteen Group, is building the homes off Amberley Street and Harrogate Street in Hendon in Sunderland.

The homes, which will all be available for affordable rent, will consist of 75 two, three and four-bedroom houses and 21 two-bedroom bungalows.

North East Mayor Kim McGuiness said too many families had been "locked out of affordable housing for too long".

'Empty too long'

The scheme is being supported by Homes England, the North East Mayor, Kim McGuinness, Sunderland City Council and local charity, Back on the Map.

The development is supported by a £1.9m contribution from the North East Combined Authority's Brownfield Housing Fund.

McGuinness said: "Too many families have been locked out of affordable housing for too long so I'm pleased we'll be delivering even more schemes like this with a further £17m to transform brownfield sites with great homes for our communities across the region.

"Everyone deserves a good home."

The development is expected to be completed by 2028.

Council leader Michael Mordey, who is also the Hendon ward councillor, said: "I'm delighted to see the start of work on these much-needed homes for social rent in the heart of Hendon.

"This site has stood empty for far too long, so it really is great to finally see the development start," he added.