FAMILIES could be living in new homes this summer after contractors were chosen to build the borough s first council houses in more than 25 years. Mansell Partnership Housing will construct 31 three and four bedroom houses on the former Lintons site, whi

FAMILIES could be living in new homes this summer after contractors were chosen to build the borough's first council houses in more than 25 years.

Mansell Partnership Housing will construct 31 three and four bedroom houses on the former Lintons site, which will be known as the King William Street Quarter in Barking.

United House Ltd was chosen to build 17 family homes at four different locations across the borough.

Sites at Essex Road in Barking and Bromhall Road, Rogers Road and Highlands Avenue in Dagenham have been earmarked for development.

In total, funding has been secured for 63 new properties, all of which will be owned by the council and let to residents currently on the housing waiting list.

A further 15 homes will be built in Charlton Crescent, Barking and in Beamway, Dagenham - the contractor is to be chosen at a later date.

Housing Minister John Healey has announced a �3.2million grant from the government's Homes and Communities Agency in addition to �4.8million funding for the King William Street Quarter.

This cash boost will help bolster the �7million already identified for housing from the council's Capital Programme.

Cllr Phil Waker, cabinet member for housing, said: "This is a significant time for the borough with contractors now in place to build actual council houses for the first time in over 25 years.

"With more than 120 families waiting for four bedroom houses and around 2,400 waiting for three bedrooms, we are starting to address the problem, but we will not be leaving it there."

Cllr Waker expressed hopes for more council housing in the future to help replace estates like The Leys and Goresbrook Village.

Paul Goodrich, Mansell Partnership Housing regional director, said: "We look forward to delivering these new council homes to benefit the residents and their community."

Jeffrey Adams, group chief executive of United House, said: "We applaud the Homes and Communities Agency for providing this new funding. We look forward to delivering high quality, affordable new homes for the area.