New Show Home for Decent Homes opens

A newly refurbished show home that enables people to see how their homes can be transformed through the Decent Homes programme in partnership with contractor Connuaght has been officially opened. The show home enables Sheffield Homes customers who are having Decent Homes work undertaken to view the choice of bathroom and kitchen fittings available and can also be used to offer temporary accommodation for people who are having work carried out.

 

Mrs Ann Hurrell, Sheffield Homes Customer and member of the Crooks and Walkley Tenants and Resident Association cut a ribbon to officially open the property, which is at 43 Otley Walk. A former local pub landlady, Mrs Hurrell, 66, who lives in Heathergate Road, Upper Walkely with her husband Peter says ‘The work planned in the area will make a tremendous difference to peoples’ lives, including my own. My home was built in the late sixties and I think the kitchen is original. So although I know it may be difficult at times while the work is being carried out, I’m really looking forward to the end result and being able to cook my first meal in the new kitchen.”

 

Joining local residents at the opening were members of the Sheffield Homes Area Investment Team, Sheffield Homes Local Board, Cllr Veronica Hardstaff, Cllr Diane Leek and staff representatives from Sheffield Homes and Connaught.

 

Sheffield Homes is managing the largest Decent Homes programme in the country, delivering £669million of Government-funded improvements such as fitting new bathrooms and kitchens, installing central heating and other work, to over 40,000 council homes by 2010.  Decent Homes contractor, Connaught will be carrying out work on 950 homes in the Lower Walkley, Crookes, Lodge Moor, and Bents Green area over the next year.

 

 

Following the official opening there will be a week long drop in event at the bungalow. Sheffield Homes staff and Customer Liaison staff from Connaught will be on hand to answer any questions.

 

Mark Beeley, Decent Homes, Project Manager says:

 

‘We hope to bring over 1000 homes in the local area up to the Decent Homes standard, which will make a tremendous difference to many peoples’ lives.  The show home in Walkley provides a great opportunity for customers to come along and see how their home can be transformed and talk to us about any concerns or questions they may have about the Decent Homes work.”

 

Connaught’s Projects Manager, Craig Pickersgill says: “The show home is an opportunity for residents to see the standard and quality of materials that will be used in the refurbishment of bringing their own homes to the Governments Decent Standard. It is also opportunity for residents  to select from a range of  kitchen worktops, units, floor and wall tiles to suit their own tastes. Customers will also be allocated their own Customer Liaison staff to accommodate their personal circumstances, during the duration of work“

 

Invitations have been sent out to over 3,000 people to view the home, including all customers who are having Decent Homes work undertaken in 2007/8 in the local area.

 

The show home will be open on:

 

Monday 19 February 10 am to 6 pm

Tuesday 20 February 8 am to 4 pm

Wednesday 21 February 10 am to 4 pm

Thursday 22 February 10 am to 6 pm

Friday 23 February 8 am to 3.30 pm

 

If customers are unable to attend the event and would like the opportunity to visit a show home in the future they can contact their Area Investment Team on 0114 293 0000.