TWO landlord agencies have been awarded nearly £13m to build more than 320 state-of-the-art houses and improve communities across North Yorkshire and the Tees Valley over the next four years.

Erimus Housing and Tees Valley Housing were granted the money by the Housing Corporation under its National Affordable Homes Programme (NAHP) from 2008 until 2011.

Tees Valley Housing has been awarded cash to build 108 affordable homes in York, a further phase of eight homes in Whinney Banks, Middlesbrough, an eight-unit supported housing scheme in Stockton and 12 family homes in Catterick as part of the first phase of a rural development.

Erimus Housing has received backing for its scheme at Newport, in Middlesbrough town centre, which will see a mixture of 92 apartments, bungalows and houses for rent, shared ownership and sale, starting on site later this year.

It has also received funding for an innovative scheme to provide the first phase of live/work units for graduates in the digital media and creative industries in Middlesbrough.

A scheme for new homes at Daleville Close will start next year and will provide eight houses and bungalows where unpopular flats have been demolished.

All of these schemes are due to start later this year.

From 2009 Tees Valley has received an allocation to deliver 20 flexible living apartments, ten units to rent and 20 shared ownership as part of the Urban Splash regeneration of North Shore in Stockton.

A further 12 homes are to be funded in Catterick and six in Whinney Banks.

Sue Jeffrey, chair of the board for Tees Valley Housing, said: "These schemes will deliver high quality housing for a range of customers across the region and we are extremely pleased to be working alongside our key partners to develop these exciting schemes."

Mike Carr, chair of the board for Erimus Housing, said: "We are delighted to receive an allocation from the Housing Corporation for these important developments.

"This means we can provide more much needed homes within Middlesbrough and contribute to the overall regeneration of the town as part of our aim to create sustainable communities."