Kate Abson, director of development for believe housing, explains to Peter Barron why she’s so passionate about calling on the Government to invest in social housing.

As someone who grew up in the former County Durham coal mining community of Brandon, Kate Abson feels a justifiable sense of pride at the transformation that’s under way.

Kate, who comes from a mining family, has risen to become director of development for one of the North East’s largest housing associations, believe housing, which is at the heart of giving the village a sustainable future.

(Image: believe housing) At the start of this year, the first residents moved into believe housing’s 12 new energy-efficient homes in Mill Close, built on the derelict site of a former pub called The Mill.

‘As a kid, I used to walk past that site with my Grandma, on the way to the Co-op, and now I’ve had a hand in something that’s making a massive difference to people’s lives,’ she says, with a smile of satisfaction.

Newly-weds Joel and Brooklyn Huntington were among the first to move into the new development, having moved from an old, privately rented terraced house.

‘It halved their fuel bills and to see a young couple finding a place to lay down roots, in the community where I grew up, makes everything worthwhile,’ adds Kate.

The 12 new homes, constructed by Oaktree Living, represent the housing association’s first gas-free new build development. Exceptionally energy-efficient, they have Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) A ratings, and the development – supported by £660,000 of grant funding from Homes England’s Affordable Homes Programme – is part of a masterplan to regenerate Brandon.

That also includes planning permission being sought by believe housing for 99 new homes – a mix of bungalows and two, three and four-bed houses – to be built in a cul-de-sac overlooking a green spine on an adjacent site.

Again, with the highest EPC rating, all the homes would be Rent to Buy or affordable rent, each with its own driveway, garden and electric vehicle charging point.

The 3.8 hectare site was cleared by believe housing because the properties became outdated and, if approved, the new development would breathe new life into the former site of Silver Courts and Vicarage Flats, along with land at Rowan Lea and Red Firs.

Kate Abson, director of development at believe housing (Image: believe housing) believe housing prides itself on having expert staff close to the communities it serves, and the regeneration of Brandon – one of a number of ambitious schemes being managed by the association across the North East – is understandably close to Kate’s heart.

Her grandad was a miner at Brandon Pit House Colliery and her great-grandad, Joseph Hutton, was presented with the Carnegie Award for saving a pitman’s life when a beam collapsed underground at nearby Browney Colliery.

Kate’s dad, Phil, worked as a heating and plumbing engineer at Durham Cathedral for nearly 40 years, and Kate would sometimes go to see him at work. ‘I think that’s where my inquisitive nature and passion for architecture and buildings started,’ she suggests.

Eager to experience the world of work, Kate took an apprenticeship in business administration with Durham County Council straight from school in 2000. The authority went on to support her though a business management degree, leading to her becoming a chartered surveyor.

After working for the property and asset management division – supporting the building of schools and managing local services such as libraries and care homes – she moved into housing in 2012.

Then, in 2015, the council took the momentous decision to transfer its stock of 18,000-residential properties to a new entity, initially called County Durham Housing Group.

Charged with building 700 new homes by 2022, the new organisation had no team to lead its new-build commitments, no partners, no contractors, and no framework, but Kate relished the challenge of being part of something new and exciting.

‘The team that’s been put together is phenomenal,’ she says. ‘Everything they do has customers’ interests at heart. It’s all about delivering new homes, and investing in existing properties, in areas crying out for regeneration.’

A ‘huge milestone’ was reached in August when Courtney Wallace and Connor Jackson moved into believe housing’s 1,000th new build in Weavers Close, Peterlee. As a Rent to Buy property, the young couple benefit from a discounted rent for five years so they can save toward buying it.

High-quality, energy-efficient, spacious and with a garden, Courtney describes it as their ‘perfect’ first home.

‘To think that we started from scratch in 2015 and built 1,000 new homes within a decade is incredible,’ adds Kate.

However, she’s the first to acknowledge that there remains a ‘desperate need’ for greater investment by the new Labour government in the social housing sector as the cost-of-living crisis continues to bite.

According to the National Housing Federation, there are 4.2 million people in need of social housing following decades of underinvestment and short-term, piecemeal policy decisions. That figure includes a record number of homeless children, with one in five young people growing up in overcrowded homes.

‘The country is facing a housing emergency, and we need certainty – a long-term plan for new and existing social homes, underpinned by a fair and sustainable financial model,’ declares Kate.

On October 30, Chancellor Rachel Reeves will deliver the Autumn Statement, and believe housing has added its voice to calls from the sector for a 10-year rent settlement, equal access to building safety funding for social housing tenants, and new funding programmes to build new social and affordable housing and retrofit existing homes.

The current Homes England programme, launched in March 2021, is scheduled to run up to March 2026 but it is already fully allocated, meaning there’s no scope for new schemes to be brought forward without additional funding.

However, Kate’s optimistic that the new Government has recognised the need for investment, having pledged to build 1.5 million new homes over the next five years.

‘We need that long-term commitment, so we can develop the right business model to provide new homes and invest in existing homes,’ says Kate.

‘Due to the cost-of-living crisis, we’re seeing more tenants being served notice because private landlords can’t continue with mortgages, so the demand for social housing is growing.’

believe housing is also putting its considerable weight behind calls for clarity on the Government’s decarbonisation ambitions, alongside the Decent Homes Standard. The current target is for all homes to be EPC (C) standard by 2030, with the Social Housing Decarbonisation Fund covering up to 50 per cent of retrofit work.

‘The Government has indicated that the 2030 target will be maintained but we need to know how it will be funded,’ says Kate.

For believe housing, investing in social housing is an investment not only in bricks and mortar, but in the local economy, communities, and the health and wellbeing of the people who live in them.

And, for Kate Abson, the transformation that’s taking shape in Brandon – the village where she grew up – is a shining example of what can be achieved. 

Ben Morris and Chloe Hurton get to raise William in Ben's home village of Wolsingham, after securing a home on believe housing's Stanners Close (Image: believe housing)Making housing dreams come true

This year has seen believe housing pressing ahead with key North East developments that have made dreams come true for local people.

In July, the association unveiled one of its latest developments in the rural setting of Wolsingham, where 20 new affordable homes have been built in Stanners Close.

Ben Morris, who was raised in Wolsingham, was among the first residents to move in, along with partner, Chloe Hurton, and their son, William.

‘This is a great opportunity for me and my family to stay in Wolsingham – it’s definitely a place we want to stay for the rest of our lives,’ says Ben, who attended the village nursery, primary and secondary schools, and is a member of the local angling club.

The couple, who previously rented a private house in another village, are in one of 11 Rent to Buy homes in Stanners Close, meaning they pay below the market rent so they can save to buy their home after five years.

Seven two-bed houses and two bungalows were allocated for affordable rent, and local contractors were used during the construction, supporting the regional economy and reducing the site’s carbon footprint.

‘I feel very lucky to live in a home like this, it’s just amazing,’ adds Ben.

Another believe housing development, of 96 new homes, on the site of a derelict social club in Easington Village, completed early this year.

believe housing worked with North East contractor Esh Construction to deliver a mix of two, three and four-bed houses and bungalows for affordable rent, rent-to-buy, and shared ownership.

The £11m redevelopment of the former Easington Working Men’s Club site, on Seaside Lane, was supported by a Homes England grant, secured by Esh Construction.

‘Its construction had a hugely positive impact on the wider area in terms of investment and, after the site laid dormant for some time, it is now an attractive and popular place to live,’ says Kate.

Among the residents is Carole Watkis, who says: ‘I love my new home, I’ve got lovely neighbours, and I’ve integrated into a good community.’