A new area of affordable housing has opened.

Watford Community Housing were joined by members of Dacorum Borough Council to officially open new homes in Nova House, on Jupiter Drive in Hemel Hempstead, this week.

People who will be living in the new Blenheim Woolbro Residential development were also present at the ceremony.

The development, built on the former site of a doctor’s surgery, was made possible by local authority grant and Watford Community Housing funding, and marks the first time the organisation has owned and managed homes in Hemel Hempstead. It contains three homes for sale and three two-bed family homes for affordable rent.

Watford Community Housing will act as landlord to the affordable properties and management to the private ones. They will also manage the communal areas.

Chief executive Tina Barnard welcomed new tenants and thanked Dacorum Borough Council for its role.

One new tenant said: “When we were notified by the council that there was a two-bedroom home available to us, we were so happy. We loved the place as soon as we saw it and moved in as soon as we could.”

Group director of partnerships for Watford Community Housing, Gareth Lewis, said: “We are thrilled to have welcomed our first residents in Dacorum to their new homes, which are built to a high standard and enhance the local area.

“By working closely with Dacorum Borough Council, we will be delivering more affordable homes for the people of Hertfordshire in the future.”

Deputy leader of Dacorum Borough Council, councillor Margaret Griffiths, said: “We’re pleased to be working with Watford Community Housing to help provide more affordable accommodation in the area.

“This is another great opportunity for us to work in partnership to deliver new homes for those who really need them.

“Dacorum Borough Council has been successful in building new homes for the past few years, but by also working with organisations like Watford Community Housing, we are maximising the number of new, affordable homes available.”