A WOMAN from Criccieth has spoken of her joy at being able to move back to her home village with her two children, thanks to an affordable housing push.

Social housing provider Adra has completed 200 new affordable homes across Gwynedd.

These are part of its £198m programme to build 1,200 new homes with partners by 2025.

The 200 new homes have been built in the south of Gwynedd in Aberdyfi, as well as in Dolgellau, Abererch, Bangor, Criccieth and Caernarfon, for either social or affordable rent.

Natasha Evans, an Adra customer from Criccieth who lives in one of the 200 new affordable homes said: “Being born and raised in Criccieth I wanted my own home to raise my family here.

“The house prices are very expensive so I had to move from the community.

“I have been able to return to Criccieth by having an affordable home through Adra.

“I now live close to my friends and family and I have a comfortable home, at an affordable price within a community that’s important to me.”

Adra is also developing 28 flats for people over 55 years old in Pwllheli in partnership with Gwynedd Council, which is available to eligible residents from the Llyn Peninsula and its first scheme in the rural town of Bala which will have nine homes.

Iwan Trefor Jones is deputy chief executive of Adra and is overseeing the development programme of the social landlord.

He said: “We are proud of the growth of our development programme and Adra’s significant investment in Gwynedd.

“We will be building on this work and will continue to with our wide range of partners to deliver new affordable homes to help to combat the housing crisis.”

He added: “We are taking a proactive and positive approach to supporting communities across Gwynedd.

“There is a huge demand and desperate need for local affordable homes.”

Gwynedd councillor and housing Cabinet member, Craig ab Iago said: “It is great news for local families and people across Gwynedd that Adra has recently completed 200 new homes across our County, for people who desperately need affordable housing.

“The lack of housing options for local people is one of the main challenges in Gwynedd today and I am confident that Adra’s growth is making a positive difference to the sustainability of our communities, in terms of local housing, jobs and opportunities.”

With the high price of second homes in areas such as the Llyn Peninsula inflating prices, local people are being priced out of the market with a lack of housing options.

As part of its development programme, Adra is currently working on a further 130 homes in Gwynedd, with more than 200 additional homes in the pipeline across the county.