SOCIAL HOUSING PROJECT REPORT 31


The apartments are equipped with air source heat pumps and effi cient radiators, as well as high levels of insulation


and fi ve two-bedroom apartments at  m2


. These sizes were chosen to meet the National Design Space Standards NDSS, in accordance with omes ngland reuirements. It also tallied with affordable housing schemes orousing has delivered previously in Salford. The ratio of one- and two-bedroom units was arrived at “in conjunction with our housing management directorate which is based on current lettings patterns within the area,” explains ather. “The chosen mix refl ects local housing demand and helps ensure the homes meet the needs of people most likely to benefi t from apartment living, while remaining affordable and sustainable over the long term.” dditionally, the housing provider has found “signifi cant challenges” letting two-bedroom apartments, due to the way in which housing benefi t works. “amilies that are on housing benefi t generally need at least three people to occupy the apartment to avoid being affected by under-occupation rules,” ather explains. While applying their own strategy,


orousing also liaised closely with the Strategic ousing Department at Salford ity ouncil to ensure their design and approach to the scheme mix would meet their affordable housing need locally. This helped fi nalise the apartment


ratio, but also led to the inclusion of four ‘accessible friendly’ homes on the ground fl oor, in line with Building egulations  ccessible and daptable Dwellings. “While there were fi nancial and spatial limitations to achieve compliance as a fully wheelchair accessible apartment, we were able to provide full wetrooms with walk-in showers and double pattress walls for grab rails to be added in the future.” It was agreed with Salford ity ouncil – as per orousing’s ongoing partnership with the authority – that all of the homes would be let via the council’s housing register Salford ome Search. In line with other new homes the housing provider has built in the borough, the agreement means that the homes will be offered to households nominated by the council via its Salford ome Search when they are fi rst let. rom second lets onwards nominations will defer to orousing’s transfer agreement. The homes are also to “remain affordable in perpetuity,” ather explains. “The homes are grant funded affordable housing apartments and are developed with the intention of them remaining so for their lifetime.” The development is three storeys, meaning a lift was not installed – as a general rule egs art  only reuire lifts installed in blocks of four


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