Council shortlisted for three prestigious awards

Sunderland City Council is in the running for a hattrick of coveted awards for its new homes programme, including its flagship first development for vulnerable residents in Hendon.

The local authority has been shortlisted for three Inside Housing Awards, in recognition of its £59m Housing Delivery and Investment Plan (HDIP), with two of the accolades recognising its Valiant Close scheme which will see it complete 17 adapted bungalows for people living with disabilities and mobility issues, as well as a dedicated day centre - Northeast Disabilities Resource Centre (NDRC) - to support people with a range of learning difficulties. 

The HDIP was launched in 2019, when the authority became a Registered Provider for the first time in 20 years.  The programme has been commended in a range of industry awards since its launch, including a commendation from the MJ Awards for the 'Best Social Housing Initiative' in recognition of its efforts to deliver affordable homes for rent for residents across the city.  This is the first award shortlisting for Valiant Close, which was the first scheme the council embarked on in Sunderland.

Centred around NDRC, Valiant Close has been shortlisted in the Best Development and Best Healthy Homes Development categories, as well as the council officers behind the programme being shortlisted for the Best Development Team award.

The council's shortlisting for the three awards at the Inside Housing Awards highlights the strides made by the council with the delivery of its HDIP, which was launched with the aim of improving Sunderland's housing provision for vulnerable people and those seeking quality affordable homes for rent.

Councillor Kevin Johnston, cabinet member for dynamic city, said: "It's wonderful to see Valiant Close, and indeed the brilliant team behind the HDIP recognised in these awards.

"We have made such fantastic progress since this plan was launched and to see this acknowledged in these prestigious awards is vindication of that, pitting us alongside the best in industry."

The HDIP originally set out plans to build 117 bungalows, but the council now plans to bring forward 193 accessible properties by 2025.  210 general-needs homes - suitable for families - that will be delivered through conversion of empty homes across the city will be delivered, and the council will place further focus on supported accommodation, designed to help people who are taking their steps towards independence or who are at risk of homelessness.  The HDIP originally targeted 95 new supported homes, but this has been increased to 171, to ensure the council can support those in need of specialist homes.  So far, the council has spent or committed £23m of the £59m it has allocated for this project. 

The council - as part of the HDIP - has also delivered specific supported accommodation for people at risk of homelessness or escaping domestic violence.  It has created a Next Steps Accommodation Programme (NSAP), which will deliver six 1-bed homes as Move On supported accommodation to help people at risk of homelessness as well as the Sanctuary Dispersed Accommodation Project, which has delivered three properties for use as accommodation for those surviving domestic abuse.

The awards take place in London on Friday, September 30.