TWO landlord agencies have been awarded nearly £13m to build more than 320 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.

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 eightunit 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 next year, Tees Valley will receive an allocation to deliver 20 flexible living apartments, ten units to rent and 20 for shared ownership as part of the Urban Splash regeneration of North Shore in Stockton.

Sue Jeffrey, of Tees Valley Housing, said: "These schemes will deliver high-quality housing for a range of customers across the region.

"We are extremely pleased to be working alongside our key partners to develop these exciting schemes."

Mike Carr, chairman of Er- By Dani Webb dani.webb@nne.co.uk imus Housing, said: "We are delighted to receive an allocation for these 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."