Washington’s Hellens Residential creates new rent-to-buy homes in Darlington

Washington-based social housing provider Hellens Residential has brought new rent-to-buy homes to market in Darlington with the help of Homes England.

The apartment block, comprising six two-bedroom flats spread over three storeys, was recently completed by building firm Taylor Wimpey and opened by Jenny Chapman MP.

Each apartment at the scheme features a galley kitchen, open-plan living room and allocated car parking. It is part of the Millfields housing development.

Homes England supported the project with funding from the SOAHP 2018-21 programme.

Hellens Residential has a portfolio of more than 150 affordable homes in the North East.

Its Millfields apartment block is located two miles east of central Darlington at Lingfield Point.

Kate Hellens, managing director of Hellens Residential, said: “We are delighted to release these six new apartments at Millfields and have already received a significant level of interest.

“In June 2018 we successfully launched our first three rent-to-buy apartments at the scheme, which proved to be very popular and were let within a very short time frame.”

She continued: “The demand for affordable housing continues to be extremely high with many people finding themselves priced out of the housing market.

“We are committed to helping local people by providing good quality housing in desirable locations on affordable and flexible terms.”

Darlington MP Jenny Chapman commented: “It was a pleasure to meet with the team from Hellens at the Millfields development on Lingfield Point and have a look at their recently completed build.

“They have done a brilliant job and this project is a shining example of an ethical housing development, fulfilling the need for local, affordable housing that looks great and feels like a home that buyers can grow into.”