Projects run by Southend-on-Sea City Council have been shortlisted in six categories of the Essex Housing Awards 2022.
The awards shortlist was decided by a panel of leading housing practitioners and advisors from across the public and private sector, recognising high-quality developments and services from across the county of Essex.
Southend-on-Sea City Council entered six of the 12 categories and was shortlisted as follows:
- Saltreach Close, a joint housing scheme with The Hill Group and The Salvation Army, which transformed a disused garage site into six, single-bedroom homes for people moving on from homelessness, has been shortlisted for the “working in partnership” and “small housing scheme (under 25 homes)”.
- Saxon Gardens, the development of four new council homes built using modern methods of construction and with many green features to maximise energy efficiency, two of which are net carbon zero, have been shortlisted for “climate action” and “excellence in design”.
- Resettlement programme, the council’s resettlement programme for Afghan and Ukrainian refugees has been shortlisted for “delivering services for vulnerable people”.
- Next steps accommodation programme (NSAP) and acquisition programme, which looks at expanding the current number of council homes through Government funding and right to buy receipts, has been shortlisted for “meeting housing need”.
Cllr Ian Gilbert, cabinet member for economic recovery, regeneration and housing, said: “I am thrilled that the council has been shortlisted for not one, not two, but six Essex Housing awards. This is true testament to this council’s commitment to create new, safe, energy-efficient homes, for our City and its more vulnerable residents.
“I would like to thank those involved with these projects for helping deliver them, including our partners, The Salvation Army and The Hill Group. Whether we win or not, I am truly proud of what we have achieved through these projects.”
Rory Lowings, project manager for SoloHaus, said: “I am delighted that Southend-on-Sea City Council has been shortlisted for so many awards this summer. It has been a pleasure working with them on the delivery of the six SoloHaus homes at Saltreach Close and we wish them every success in their two categories.”
A Salvation Army spokesperson said: “We have an excellent relationship with Southend-on-Sea City Council and will continue to work closely with them, so it’s great to hear Saltreach Close has been nominated for partnership working and as part of the small housing scheme category. Programmes like Saltreach Close mean The Salvation Army can give people the support they need, designed to tackle the reasons which lead to them becoming homeless in the first place, like addiction and mental health issues, to help them to move off the streets and into a better life.”
Shortlisted entries will attend an award ceremony at Greenwoods Hotel in Stock on 3 November.
For more information, please visit the Essex Housing Awards 2022 website.