10,000 Ongo homes

Ongo is planning to celebrate its 10,000^th home being completed in October, and its best year of building to date, with more than 60 homes handed over in 2020 so far.

The landmark figure comes as the final phase of the new 41 homes are handed over in Westcliff, Scunthorpe, bringing the £9million regeneration project to an end.

Since starting out as North Lincolnshire Homes in 2007, and then becoming Ongo in 2012, one of their main aims has always been to invest in its communities and provide brand new housing.

Martin Phillips, Development Manager at Ongo, has been part of delivering around 900 new homes over the last eight years. He said: “This is a monumental achievement for us and one I’m proud to have supported. Giving people a place to call home is at the heart of everything we do here at Ongo, so to be able to do this for 10,000 families is just brilliant.”

“The homes we build are much needed and make a real difference to the lives of local people. They are great quality, and we’re delighted to provide more options than ever.

“We now offer rented, shared ownership, rent to buy and outright sale homes; meaning there is a type of home to suit the needs of everybody. Whether you’re looking for an affordable place to rent or you want to get on the property ladder – we’re here to help.

“We have exciting and ambitious plans to build more fantastic homes, so keep an eye out.”

Delivering these projects has been a huge challenge, and one that has created hundreds of jobs in the area, with local suppliers and contractors benefitting, along with many local people securing work on these sites.

Steve Sowerby, Managing Director of T.G Sowerby Developments LTD commented: “We’ve worked with Ongo for many years and the Westcliff regeneration project has been the biggest and best project we’ve carried out so far. To be told that the scheme has reached this landmark 10,000^th home mark really has made it all the more special.

“We’re a local firm and this project has kept our team, our suppliers and sub-contractors busy for the last three years. It’s created jobs and apprenticeships, including our newest recruit who only left the local Melior Community Academy this summer to join us on a bricklaying apprenticeship last week.

“The variety of homes we’ve built here really has been exceptional. We’ve enjoyed our time on Westcliff and would like to thank Ongo for this opportunity.”

Ongo’s vision doesn’t end at 10,000, with a promise to build 225 new homes each year for the next 10 years, including their first dementia scheme and exciting plans to develop carbon neutral homes.

Along with building new homes, maintaining their existing ones is also a key focus of Ongo’s, with aims to invest £83.1m into existing homes over the next 10 years.

Janine Garner, Chair of Ongo’s main tenant body, Community Voice, said: “I’ve been an Ongo tenant for 27 years and it has been great to see so many lovely homes delivered in that time, as well as investment in existing stock with brand new kitchens, bathrooms and more.

“I’m excited to see what the next few years bring in terms of Ongo’s development plans and would encourage anyone looking for a home to take a look at what they have to offer. I find being an Ongo tenant a pleasure and am proud to say I feel us tenants are 100% listened to.”

To find out more about Ongo’s journey, or their latest development announcements, go to: www.ongo.co.uk.