11th July 2024 • The HERALD • Page 73 v INDEPENDENT, LOCAL AND PROUD v ASK A PROFESSIONAL Law Firm Selected for Major Housing Consortium’s Relaunched Legal Panel Following a competitive tender process, Southampton law firm Shakespeare Martineau has secured a place on the Communities and Housing Investment Consortium (CHIC) legal services framework. Over the next four years, the 24-strong panel will share work with an estimated value of £50 million. e framework has four ‘lots’ covering corporate, governance and nance; housing and asset management; development; and property. CHIC, formed in 2010 as a not-for-pro t organisation, supports housing providers and local authorities to ensure they can provide the best service to their residents. Louise Drew, Partner and Head of Building Communities at Shakespeare Martineau, said: “We are extremely proud to have been appointed to CHIC’s relaunched legal panel. This opportunity allows us to offer a comprehensive suite of legal support to CHIC’s members over the next four years. The current housing landscape presents significant challenges, with a national shortage of affordable and social homes that is expected to grow. In this rapidly-changing market, registered providers require robust advice and innovative solutions to meet the increasing demand. Our specialist legal and nonlegal teams are dedicated to advising delivery partners of affordable and social housing in all facets – from securing development finance and innovative structures to collaborative working and managing the sale or rental of properties. This appointment is testament to the quality of our people and our unwavering commitment to supporting our clients in the social housing sector as they navigate both the challenges and opportunities presented to them. We look forward to contributing to the CHIC and supporting its members in their mission to deliver exceptional services to residents.” CHIC is a member-owned and governed consortium that delivers compliant procurement solutions and commercial support to members. e consortium secures savings for members and is committed to the delivery of improved environmental outcomes and added social value. John Fisher, Chief Executive at CHIC, said: “CHIC is delighted to be able to meet market demand through our new framework, supporting our members to access specialised legal services. By partnering with Kennedy Cater and leading law firms in the housing sector like Shakespeare Martineau, we aim to provide our members with tailored solutions that address their specific legal requirements at a competitive cost.” Louise Drew, Partner and Head of Building Communities at Shakespeare Martineau Barratt and David Wilson Homes are delighted to announce that its scheme designed to help key workers a ord a brand-new home, has now been extended to include many more buyers. e developers, that are building new homes across Hampshire, are now o ering their Key Worker Deposit Contribution Scheme to the 37,000 employees and volunteers of the Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI), as well as the country’s 60,000 foster carers. The scheme, originally launched in 2022 to celebrate the 75th anniversary of the National Health Service, has been open to NHS employees, as well as workers in the Education sector, Police Force, Fire Service, Ministry of Defence, Environmental Service, National Highways, Transport Scotland & Transport for Wales, Probation Service, the Local Authority, and the Prison Service. It will now support the many more key workers in the RNLI and foster carers across the region. So far, Barratt and David Wilson Homes have given support totalling around £34m to over 2,000 key workers across the UK. The scheme means key workers can be offered £1,000 as a deposit contribution for every £20,000 of a home’s purchase price, meaning for a home costing £325,000, for example, key workers would quality for a contribution of £16,250. As well as the deposit contribution, the housebuilders are also o ering ooring, worth up to a further 1% of the value of the home. Tammy Bishop, Barratt and David Wilson Homes Sales Director, said: “Our Key Worker Deposit Contribution Scheme has already helped more than 2,000 buyers to purchase a low-carbon, energy-efficient home. “While mortgage rates are starting to come down, many buyers are still struggling to get into a home that fits with their lifestyle. We’re now extending the scheme to include those who do outstanding and selfless work both with the RNLI and foster care services.” Dave Nicoll, Fundraising Partnership Lead at the RNLI, said: “We are delighted to join this scheme which will offer our RNLI employees and volunteers the chance to buy their own home.” Barratt Developments is building new homes across the region via its Barratt Homes and David Wilson Homes developments. Housebuilders’ Key Worker Deposit Contribution Scheme Now Available to Thousands More Buyers
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