Flats available for a hugely reduced rental price at Dundee Waterfront are expected to be completed by the end of this year.
The Hillcrest Housing Association properties at City Quay are expected to cost around half of the rent of privately-owned flats in the area.
Demand for the 66 affordable homes is predicted to be high with the charity readying itself for an influx of applications.
Some of city’s best views
The flats offer up some of the best views in the city with balconies looking out over the River Tay, V&A Dundee, and Victoria Dock.
Despite disruption related to the pandemic, the one and two-bedroom apartments are expected to be in the hands of Hillcrest and available for new tenants in early 2023.
A private two-bedroom flat at the adjacent Marine Parade Walk is usually advertised at around £900 per month meaning the Hillcrest tenants will land a home for much cheaper than the going rate.
Who is eligible to apply?
The flats will be available for mid-market rent, which means only those earning under a certain amount can apply to take on a lease.
Individuals applying for a single-person household must not earn more than £28,000 a year, while those applying for a property which would be home to more than one adult cannot earn more than £36,000 a year combined.
Interest open for registration soon
Angela Linton, Hillcrest chief executive, said: “We’re delighted to be delivering much-needed affordable housing in such a central and attractive area, within the heart of the Dundee Waterfront development.
“As well as providing a great place to call home in a fantastic location, the energy-efficiency measures designed into the properties will also offer a very welcome reduction in energy bills at a time where increasing costs are of great concern.
“We’re expecting the first block, which will be mid-market rent properties to be ready around early spring next year, and we’ll be looking to begin registering interest in the properties in the first few months of 2023.”
Cutting-edge construction methods
Described as Scotland’s largest affordable modular housing development, the flats are being built using new cutting-edge prefabrication construction methods.
The lightweight steel frames are built bespoke by Enevate Homes for each construction project before being delivered.
The style of construction has been compared to Lego bricks and touted as one of the solutions to the UK’s housing crisis.
John Walker, site manager with Enevate Homes, said the build is much more simple for workers at the site.
He said: “The modules are built in a factory in Wishaw and then delivered to us on site to lift into place using a crane.
“They already have wiring, plumbing, and interior finishing.
“It means we don’t have anywhere near as much to do on site.
“It’s much cheaper and quicker than a regular build. Usually a build like this will take two to three years but this will only take a year and a half.”
He added: “In theory, because of the build method, you could just take off the roof and add more levels.
“Obviously you can’t do that because planning approval is needed but it shows how simple it is.
“The build has also been very eco-friendly compared to a regular build because we haven’t had as many articulated lorries coming in with deliveries.”
Construction of another block of 53 flats opposite will begin in 2023 with these available for social rent.
The foundations for this second block have already been completed.
Conversation