Shropshire people will have a new chance to get their foot on the property ladder when 62 affordable homes are built by Shropshire Council.

The council is going to build the homes in various locations around the county to help tackle the shortage of affordable homes in the area.

The new homes are part-funded through investment from the Homes and Communities Agency's (HCA) Affordable Homes Programme. The schemes will be a mixture of tenures, with 25 low-cost homes for purchase and 37 for affordable rent.

It will be the first time the council, as a direct provider of social housing via its landlord services team, will be managing the development and retaining ownership of the 37 homes for affordable rent.

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Although the programme is at an early stage, it is anticipated that work on some of the sites will start in spring 2013, with completion of all 62 units by March 2015.

The development programme will also provide employment and training opportunities through the creation of apprenticeships.

Mal Price, Shropshire Council’s Cabinet member responsible for housing, said: "We are delighted to be working with the HCA, and this is a great opportunity for the council to build much-needed quality and affordable family homes in the county. As well as providing a welcome opportunity for people to get on the housing ladder, these developments will give the local economy a boost by creating jobs and apprenticeship opportunities"

Nicola Marshall, head of Midlands West for the HCA said: "This agreement is great news as it will see much needed new homes delivered in Shropshire and make a significant different to the local communities in which we work.

"Our local teams have worked closely with the Council over recent months to ensure that its programme brings the maximum benefit for local people. But in many ways, the hard work starts now and we will be focussed on ensuring that people in Shropshire see the benefits of our investment over the next four years."

(CD)