Press Release: Monday 14 June 2004

YORK COUPLE SPECIAL GUESTS AT 40TH BIRTHDAY CELEBRATION

YORK RESIDENTS Peter and Audrey Hawley will be guests of honour at an official ceremony in Harrogate this week, to mark the 40th anniversary of the Housing Corporation.

Peter and Audrey Hawley, of New Earswick, have been tenants of The Joseph Rowntree Trust for over 50 years, having moved into their first home in 1953.

The Joseph Rowntree Trust is one of more than 2,000 housing associations throughout England, delivering an affordable house building programme in which the Housing Corporation will invest £3.3 billion over the course of the next two years.

Mr and Mrs Hawley were invited to attend the 40th Anniversary cake-cutting ceremony when new Corporation chief executive, Jon Rouse, heard of their own personal milestone. "It is entirely appropriate to invite those who have been housing association tenants for the entire time the Corporation has been in operation", he said. "We are delighted to be sharing our special celebration with the Hawleys who are one of the success stories of our work."

Mr and Mrs Hawley will be driven from their home in York to the Chartered Institute of Housing's conference at the Harrogate Conference Centre, where they will be met by Mr Rouse. The official cake cutting ceremony will take place on Tuesday 15 June at 3.00pm, on the Housing Corporation stand (No. 287). Members of the press are invited to attend, where they will have the opportunity to speak with Mr and Mrs Hawley, as well as the Corporation's chief executive.

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Notes to Editors

For more information, please contact Robert Davies in the Housing Corporation press office on 020 7393 2227 (mobile: 07730 530185).

The Housing Corporation is the Government agency responsible for regulating and funding over 2,000 housing associations in England. It is changing the face of affordable homes by creating strong communities which are exciting places to live and work.

During 2004-2006, the Corporation will invest £128.2 million in Yorkshire and Humberside to fund the building of brand new affordable homes. The £128.2 million will be apportioned as follows:

• Harrogate: £4.9m (funding 129 new homes)
• North Yorks: £30.5m (727 new homes)
• Yorks & Humberside: £128.2m (2800 new homes)

The Joseph Rowntree Housing Trust, separately established in 1968, is a charity and a registered social landlord. It is part of the Joseph Rowntree Foundation and its Trustees and staff are also the Trustees and staff of the JRF.