On Friday 18 December Genesis Housing Group held a celebratory opening event at a snow covered Ken Start House in Rochford.

Ken Start House is a housing scheme for residents with learning difficulties located right in the heart of Rochford. There are 14 self-contained flats all designed to maximise the potential of every resident who will be living there. In addition there are also communal gardens, parking facilities and a lounge for the residents to enjoy.

The scheme was funded by a £915,000 grant from the Homes and Communities Agency (HCA). It was built in partnership with Rochford District Council and will be managed by Springboard Housing Association, part of Genesis Housing Group. Although not inhabited yet, many of the potential residents who have been nominated by the Council attended the event.

Michelle Jones who hopes to live at Ken Start House said 'It would be a lovely place to live and I really hope I get to move in soon.'

Following speeches from Neil Hadden - Group Chief Executive of Genesis Housing Group, Keith Young - Director of Allenbuild, the contractor for the scheme, and Ken Start himself, a ribbon-cutting ceremony took place.

Neil Hadden, who recently joined Genesis as Chief Executive, said 'Ken Start House is an example of a great partnership between Rochford District Council and Genesis. It finished on time and on budget enabling us to take nominations far earlier than expected. I hope everyone who lives here enjoys their new home and the independence it will offer them.'

Ken Start, a former Springboard Chief Executive of 26 years who pioneered this scheme right from the start said 'this is all about people, about making lives change for the better. It's a wonderful scheme and I look forward to seeing everyone move in.'

- Ends -

Picture caption (l-r): Ken Start and Michelle Jones - prospective resident

For further information please contact
Helen Terry on 020 7563 0031 / helen.terry@ghg.org.uk

Notes to editors

Genesis Housing Group provides homes and services to tens of thousands of people across London and the south east. The Group consists of PCHA, Pathmeads and Springboard housing associations. It also has a charitable foundation, Genesis Community, and is one of the largest and most diverse housing groups in the UK. Genesis Housing Group owns and/or manages more than 40,000 homes across London and the south east. Its overiding aim is to put customers first and provide excellent service to all.

Springboard joined Genesis Housing Group in April 2005 and currently supports more than 5,000 households in 24 local authority areas across London, Essex and Hertfordshire. In addition to general needs housing, shared ownership and leasehold properties, Springboard specialises in supported housing for the elderly and people with special needs.

The Homes and Communities Agency is the single, national housing and regeneration agency for England. Our vision is about creating opportunity for people to live in homes they can afford, in places they want to live and for local authorities and communities to deliver the ambition they have for their own areas.

This will be achieved by:
Acting as the bridge between national targets and local ambitions, with a strong regional presence;
Through a process of 'single conversations' with local authorities, RDAs and sub regional partnerships;
Working effectively with the market, housebuilders, investors and other stakeholders;
Understanding the needs and aspirations of people and communities.

The HCA brings together English Partnerships, investment functions of the Housing Corporation, and the Academy for Sustainable Communities, with major delivery programmes of Communities and Local Government.