Hemel Hempstead housing association to build further 1,000 homes after getting £60million from NatWest

Hightown Housing Association plans to build a further 1,000 homes for those most in need by 2022, after securing eight-figure funding from NatWest.

The charitable housing association will use the £60million funding package to grow its existing portfolio of more than 7,000 properties, expanding the number of affordable homes it offers for rent and increasing the availability of shared ownership houses in Hertfordshire, as well as Bedfordshire and Buckinghamshire.

Hightown - which was founded in 1967 - provides care in 85 supported housing projects for people needing mental health and learning disability support, for young people and for homeless people. These services have continued to operate during the pandemic with PPE and social distancing.

David Bogle, chief executive at Hightown Housing Association, said: “The support from NatWest means we can continue to tackle the housing and homelessness crisis by providing affordable homes together with a wide range of housing and support.

“Our focus has been on delivery in line with our strong social purpose. We believe that, by developing decent homes and supporting people to live with confidence, independence and choice, our work delivers a tangible positive impact for local communities.”

The funding forms part of NatWest’s recent commitment to support the housing association sector with £3billion of funding over the next three years. This will support the increase in provision of social housing, as well as the improvement of existing properties.

Dharmesh Patel, NatWest associate director, said: “At NatWest we are committed to supporting housing associations across the country. As one of the fastest growing housing association in the UK, Hightown Housing is providing essential, affordable homes for those most in need and the funding we have provided will help it meet its expansion target.”