TOWN Hall chiefs in Warrington are considering lending £30 million over three years to a housing provider which specialises in making affordable homes available to NHS and emergency services workers and armed forces veterans.
The deal would also include a £7.5 million two-and-a-half year revolving credit facility.
Both loans would be added to the council’s capital programme to be funded from borrowing.
Auxesia Homes Ltd operate as a for-profit registered housing provider. Based in Knutsford, they work with house builders to provide 100-250 new-build homes a year which they make available for affordable rent, rent-to-buy or shared ownership across the North West – mainly in Cheshire, Lancashire and Merseyside. Subject to the availability of sites, some could be provided in Warrington.
Auxesia’s long-term objective is to be the market leader in providing affordable homes to these groups, assisting local authorities to better serve their communities. Their advisory panel is made up of ex-service personnel and the chairman was previously an officer in the Parachute Regiment.
Currently 22.4 percent of the homes are let to key workers in and around the Cheshire and Lancashire region.
If a suitable site is found in Warrington, it would be prioritised for Warrington ex-service personnel, NHS and emergency services workers and other key workers.
A report by Cllr Cathy Mitchell, deputy leader of the council, will go the borough council’s cabinet on January 10 with a recommendation for approval as it will expand affordable homes provision in the borough.
No external consultation has taken place on the proposals because of commercial sensitivity.
The council has been loaning money to housing associations to assist in the provision of affordable homes for some years.
