Representatives from the Homes and Communities Agency (HCA), Gentoo and Sunderland City Council met recently to celebrate work commencing on 143 brand new homes in Ryhope, Sunderland.

As well as the economic impact on local businesses and shops, the site is a huge boost to affordable housing in the area as all the new homes are allocated for social rent except for one bespoke bungalow being built for an owner/occupier with specific health requirements.

The first phase of houses will meet level five of the Code for Sustainable Homes. This highly efficient rating for any new build property means that they will be highly insulated, include 'Smart' gas and electric metres and integrated PhotoVoltaic panels. Not only does this make the properties more 'environmentally friendly but it helps keep residents' fuel bills down.

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Gentoo Group launched a renewal programme in 2002 with the aim to build new housing that better reflects the needs of the community in terms of the mix of tenure and home type, housing layout and environmental standards.

In attendance were the chief executive of Gentoo Group Peter Walls, Leader of the Council Cllr Paul Watson, and Karen Anderson, North East Area Manager at the Homes and Communities Agency (HCA), who part-funded the project.

Chief Executive of Gentoo Group Peter Walls said: "This is a great boost for Sunderland. As a Group we not only recognise the importance of combining physical, social and economic regeneration. As well as our investment into housing in the City, we continue our comprehensive social investment programme to innovatively tackle social and economic issues within neighbourhoods. We will continue to work to improve housing in Sunderland, as our core belief is that it's all about how you live."

(CD/IT)