A housing association has announced plans for an extensive development programme in Harrow that will deliver almost 500 new homes in the borough over the next five years.

Origin Housing says nearly 70% of the homes will be ‘affordable’.

The Mayor of Harrow, Councillor Ajay Maru this week marked the opening of the first of Origin’s new developments in the borough, Chands Apartments, High Street Edgware.

Designed by Peter Taylor Associates Limited Architects, Chands Apartments is a 100% ‘affordable’ housing development, offering 15 shared ownership and 16 ‘affordable rent’ apartments, including a three-bedroom fully adapted wheelchair maisonette that sleeps up to six people.

Gareth Jones, Origin Housing development director, said:

“We have six new developments in Harrow in our current pipeline development programme, and we look forward to working alongside the borough to create more affordable homes for local people, meeting the area’s pressing housing need.

When Origin Housing first acquired the site, it had planning for a private development, which included no affordable housing. We are pleased to be able to provide a much needed entirely affordable development here.

The perception in the media has been that shared ownership properties in London aren’t affordable. However, here at the Chands Apartments, the average salary requirement is £29,000 for a one-bedroom apartment and £40,000 for a two-bedroom – proving that shared ownership is an attainable option for real Londoners with real salaries.”