'We're building communities, not just housing' - Keon Homes hits major housing milestone as UKREiiF gets underway

Keon Homes, which was only formed six years ago, has made the announcement as the high-profile UKREiiF event starts in Leeds - the UK’s largest real estate investment and infrastructure forum.

The company’s ability to unlock complex parcels of land and strong supply chain management has seen it throw off the shackles of industry disruption and rising costs to deliver 16 completed sites across the Midlands, with a further nine projects currently underway.

Construction of the 1,200th home is taking place at its landmark £35m Port Loop urban regeneration scheme in Birmingham.

Working in partnership with sister company Cameron Homes and housing association Midland Heart, Keon Homes is building phases 3A, B and C on the prestigious Icknield Port Loop development, delivering 124 units over the next two years. These phases will involve construction of two-, three- and four-bedroom homes, plus a small apartment block that straddles the canal corner and will be sympathetic to the heritage of the site. 

Richard Williams, managing director of Keon Homes, said: “It is somewhat fitting that our 1,200th home is on Port Loop, the largest development we have worked on to date, both in terms of size and importance to urban regeneration.

“To have achieved this number in just six years is some achievement, especially considering we have done this against the backdrop of Covid-19, unprecedented material shortages and rising inflation.

 “Our approach has always been ‘do the right thing’, whether that is bringing brownfield land back into use or ensuring each development places the individual and family at its heart - building communities not just housing.

“This has seen us forge strong partnerships with over 10 housing associations and these relationships – with the likes of Midland Heart, Wrekin Housing Group and Sanctuary – have been pivotal in our growth.”

Mr Williams is set to provide an insight into Keon Homes’ journey at UKREiiF, taking part in a West Midlands Housing Delivery panel session. The industry expert will explore in detail how the firm has made Port Loop a success where other developers have failed, highlighting the importance of public/private delivery models and partnerships. 

He will also discuss the company’s move into extra care schemes and its recent appointment as lead on the £1 billion Wolverhampton Housing Development Framework.

The affordable housing specialist has preferred contractor status on all sites over 20 plots in the city and surrounding areas and is already building out schemes in New Park Village and Lincoln Green in Bushbury.

Mr Williams added: “UKREiiF is such an important event for our sector, and I’m delighted we can give an insight into the Keon Homes story and how we are going about delivering affordable housing.

“The next few years promise to be a very exciting time with government keen to accelerate the number of units being built in a concerted attempt to start solving the shortage we’ve got in the UK. We’d urge the powers that be to go brownfield first and look at how we can repurpose land that has laid dormant for years, sometimes even decades.”