Plans to deliver 500 new homes for those most in need by 2022 are to be driven forward by Bournemouth Churches Housing Association (BCHA) after it secured eight-figure funding from NatWest.

The not for profit registered housing association will use the £10m funding package to grow its existing portfolio of 1,800 properties, expanding the number of homes available for affordable/social rent and supported living in Bournemouth and across the south.

As part of its five-year plan, BCHA has also committed to ensuring all property stock is high quality and fit-for-purpose, as well as growing the range of services it offers to address unmet needs.

Martin Lucas, BCHA’s Director of Finance and Corporate Resources, said: “For more than 50 years BCHA has supported vulnerable people with a range of needs to help them find stability, safety and independence.

“There is an ever-increasing demand for homes for people who would otherwise be homeless. NatWest’s support will enable us to grow our property portfolio and help meet this demand.

“BCHA is here for those in the local community and across the south who need our support and our expansion should put us in a strong position to help thousands more people and continue our Bchangemakers campaign over the next few years.”

Founded in 1968 by a group of Bournemouth churches to help with local housing problems, BCHA has grown to become a major provider of housing, support and learning services for socially excluded people.

Headquartered in Bournemouth, the association’s team of 260 staff now help more than 10,000 people annually across the south and south west, from Devizes down to Plymouth.

Jim Farley, NatWest Relationship Director, said: “BCHA delivers invaluable support to its service users in the south and a huge part of this is offering housing to those who need it most.

“Our specialist knowledge of the sector and ongoing support has helped the association’s short to medium-term property growth as it continues to provide secure and safe homes for people to live.”