Ashford Borough Council highly commended in national housing award

Media Release

28 June 18

Ashford Borough Council's reputation for excellence in the housing sector continues to earn national recognition, with the authority highly commended in the prestigious Housing Heroes Awards.

Ashford was one of six finalists in the hotly-contested category of Development or Maintenance Team of the Year for organisations with under 15,000 properties, in an annual award scheme jointly organised by Inside Housing and the Chartered Institute of Housing.

The talented five-strong project delivery team from Ashford has been supported by officers from across the housing, finance and property departments in an exemplary display of teamwork and collaboration. The team is proud of its involvement in delivering some notable ‘firsts' in the last 12 months.

The housing department - with excellent support provided by the development team - has delivered Farrow Court, which is a rarity in modern-day social housing provision for older people.

Built, owned and run by the council, this 104 home dementia-friendly centre is a flagship project in the area and is recognition of the need to make special provision for the needs of an ageing population - by 2026 it's anticipated that around 40% of the residents of the Ashford borough will be aged over 50.

Noakes Meadow is the first bespoke wheelchair-user friendly bungalow that has been constructed by Ashford Borough Council and contractors DCB Kent. It has been built for Mr and Mrs MacGregor to accommodate Mrs MacGregor's disability.

Occupational therapists have commented that it should be the blueprint for the type of bespoke wheelchair-friendly accommodation that ought to be built across the UK.

Ashford Borough Council also made the finals of two other national awards this summer, prompting Cllr Gerald White, the authority's portfolio holder for housing, to praise the professionalism, skills and dedication of staff working in the housing team.

He said: "Only the very best make it through to the finals of these prestigious schemes and this success reflects the council's vision to deliver quality housing and homes for all at a time when local government finances are under pressure as never before."

ENDS

High res image available on request

For more information contact:

Darren Laws
Public relations
01634 671167
Darren.laws@zesttheagency.com