BASINGSTOKE is set to benefit after Sentinel Housing Associa-tion secured £4.5million to deliver nearly 200 affordable new homes across the south east.

Sentinel, based in Kingsclere Road, Basingstoke has signed a contract with the Homes and Communities Agency (HCA) to support the development of 199 new affordable homes across Basingstoke, Hart, Waverley, Surrey Heath and Test Valley.

Overall, the housing association is set to invest £300m into its home building programme over the next five years and is aiming to build 1,600 homes for rent and 750 homes for sale between now and 2020.

Mark Perry, chief executive of Sentinel Housing Association, said: “Affordable housing is in short supply and we’re doing all we can to help tackle this housing crisis.

“We’ve set ourselves a target to build 400 to 500 new homes a year, and with house prices continuing to rise, there’s never been a greater need for this type of funding.

“The first scheme to benefit from this deal will be Gregory House, in Hook. We started work in October, investing £3m to re-model this outdated sheltered scheme.

“And the HCA are providing a grant of £840,000 to help us provide 28 self-contained apartments for over 55s.”

HCA head of area Kevin Bourner added: “This is good news for communities across Hampshire. Sentinel is a key provider of affordable housing across much of the county, and these homes will help meet local need and contribute towards Government’s plans to build 165,000 new affordable homes by 2018.”