Barnet Homes, the ALMO working for Barnet Council, welcomed the Housing Minister to showcase their success in getting new homes built and set out their future ambitions to deliver more housing for local families.

On a visit to Barnet House in Whetstone yesterday, Housing Minister Brandon Lewis praised the work of Barnet Homes, who built the first council homes in the borough for over twenty years last April.

Accompanied by National Federation of ALMO (NFA) Managing Director Eamon McGoldrick, the Minister heard how the borough was pushing ahead with plans to build more council homes and affordable rent houses for local people.

Eamon McGoldrick said: “Barnet Homes clearly demonstrated to the Housing Minister how it is providing improved and innovative services with significant cost savings.”

Tracey Lees, Chief Executive of The Barnet Group said: “We are very pleased that the Minister is keen to hear about the innovative and exciting work the ALMO sector is pioneering and welcome his visit to The Barnet Group.”

Cllr Tom Davey, Chairman of the Housing Committee, London Borough of Barnet, said: “Barnet Homes is a key partner of the Borough and provides excellent services in the Barnet communities.”

Barnet Homes are building an additional 40 new family council homes by 2016 on a further six sites and have received funding from the GLA towards 101 new affordable homes to be completed by 2018. The ALMO is also in the early stages of designing an extra care scheme with 52 units.

During the visit, organised by the National Federation of ALMOs (NFA), Mr Lewis heard how organisations like the Barnet Homes are stepping up to deliver more homes.

Barnet Homes also delivered a presentation to the Minister on how in ten years the group had transformed into a Top 20 UK Landlord.

Housing Minister Brandon Lewis said: “This Government has given councils new financial freedoms, including reforming the Housing Revenue Account, to enable them to build local homes for local people.

“I am delighted that Barnet have kick-started that work by building the first council homes in the borough for twenty years.”