Ongo is planning to celebrate the completion of its 10,000th home 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 41 new homes in Westcliff, Scunthorpe, approaches completion – bringing the £9m regeneration project to an end.
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.”
One of Ongo’s newly completed homes in Westcliff, Scunthorpe
Ongo says that delivering the projects has been a huge challenge, but one that it claims has created hundreds of jobs in the area, with local suppliers and contractors benefiting alongside local workers.
Steve Sowerby, managing director of T.G Sowerby Developments LTD, said: “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 10,000th 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.”
The future
Ongo has pledged to build 225 new homes each year for the next 10 years, including its first dementia scheme carbon-neutral homes.
Along with building new homes, maintaining its existing stock is a key focus for Ongo, and it aims to invest £83.1m in 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.”
Originally set up as North Lincolnshire Homes in 2007, Ongo underwent a rebranding in 2012.
Main image: Ongo staff on Collum Avenue, Scunthorpe
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