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11 November 2014, 12:17 | Updated: 11 November 2014, 12:28
750 new affordable homes are going to be built in north Essex, to help with the housing crisis and struggling first time buyers.
Essex's Housing association Colne has announced its plans today, to coincide with Housing Day (Nov 12th).
More than 14,000 households are currently on the housing register for affordable rented homes in the area.
Colchester 3,781
Tendring 1,238
Braintree 2,307
Babergh 1,081
Chelmsford 5,100
Maldon District 1,152
Total 14,659
Source: Gateway to Homechoice, Tendring Council and Chelmsford Council
It is claimed the East of England could face a shortfall of 300,000 homes by 2031 because not enough new properties are being built, according to the National Housing Federation.
Chief Executive of Colne, Mark Powell Davies, said: "Colne is playing a central part in easing the housing crisis in north Essex by continuing to build affordable homes for those who do not have enough money to buy or rent privately.
"We will build 750 homes over the next five years. This includes increasing the number of properties for struggling first-time buyers by offering part-buy part-rent homes."
The new homes will be at:
Brook Street and Northfields, Turner Road, Colchester
Bernards, Dovercourt
London Road, Braintree
The Sunday Market site, Market Lane, Witham
Stanley Street, Great Chesterford, Uttlesford
The former Marconi site in New Street, Chelmsford
Coval Lane, Chelmsford
Twenty-four homes at Hyde Farm Corner in South Street, Braintree, have recently been finished and residents have moved in.