New affordable homes fail - only half of the 500 target have been built

Roddons will not meet its target for providing new affordable homes across Fenland councillors were told.

Anne Brighton, Roddons’ managing director, admitted the housing association was not going to meet its 500 new homes target despite being given a two year extension on the original five year target.

Instead the association has only managed to build 253 in the given period and Fenland’s overview and scrutiny committee wanted to know the reason why.

Miss Brighton explained the collapse in the economy was the main reason the target would not be met.

“It is because of the exceptional factors,” she said.

However, she said they were committed to building the new homes and would continue to focus on delivering them.

Miss Brighton gave the assurance during a presentation to the committee on the housing association’s activity over the past 12 months.

She outlined the work Roddons had done in providing a number of apprenticeships within its offices and also spoke about work with credit unions and in particular its links with the local Rainbow Savers and the Leeds Credit Union.

She said tackling anti-social behaviour had been a key priority over the past 12 months and there had been a drop in incidents.

However, she said there were 13 referrals to mediation, two ASBO contracts and one possession order as a result of anti-social behaviour.

Almost 100 per cent of homes have been checked for gas safety, but the few that have not been checked will be done in the next few months with Miss Brighton explaining there had been access issues with some properties.

Those residents who have refused access are facing legal action so the inspections can be completed.