Portland residents to start 2024 in new affordable homes

Isle of Portland residents will be enjoying 2024 in their new affordable homes on the Windmills development, as Wimborne based housing association East Boro Housing Trust (EBHT), part of the Aster Group, gets ready to hand the keys over to the new occupiers.

Located in the village of Easton, the collection of 15 affordable homes, comprising of a mix of seven one-bedroom flats and one three-bedroom flat, along with seven two-bedroom houses, will deliver much needed new accommodation on the island. All of the homes will be for local residents of those with a strong connection to the area. Nine will be available to rent on an affordable basis, the remaining six houses, which were available to purchase through shared ownership, have already been reserved by local residents.

Shared ownership is a secure alternative to private renting providing an affordable way onto - or back onto - the housing ladder. Buyers purchase a share of a property and pay rent on the remaining share. This reduces the size of the initial deposit required and if they want to, purchasers can buy more shares in their property (known as staircasing), in most cases leading to outright home ownership.

Commenting on the new homes, East Boro Chief Executive, Kevin Hodder, said: “Like many coastal areas across the south, short-term lets and Airbnbs are pushing up prices and making it increasingly difficult for local residents to remain living here[1]. So we know that these 15 affordable homes are going to make a difference to this local community.

“The homes for affordable rent will enable local people, with a connection to the area, the opportunity to live in a brand new home, close to family and friends. The six shared ownership homes have all been snapped up showing how high the demand is for affordable homes to buy for those looking to step onto the housing ladder or move away from privately renting into something more secure.”

East Boro worked with local developer Betterment Properties Ltd who built the new homes in the Windmills. The rented homes will be managed by East Boro, please go to https://www.dorsetcouncil.gov.uk/housing/housing to apply and more information on the shared ownership homes, which will be managed by Aster Group, can be found here.

For further information on EBHT visit www.ebht.org.uk or

[1] Portland housing crisis sees residents unable to afford to stay on island and mayor feeling 'sorry' for homebuyers - Dorset Live