THE first raft of 270 affordable homes for the district has been launched.

Wyre Forest Community Housing plans to provide the homes for rent by the end of 2005 and estimates the cost at £21 milion.

Its New Build Programme starts with a £1.2 million contract for 18 two and three bedroom houses and bungalows at St David's Close and Canterbury Road, Kidderminster.

The project should be completed by November.

Community housing chief executive Ray Brookes said: "These are the first properties built by the company since the transfer of housing stock from Wyre Forest District Council in March 2000.

"The last properties built by the council were those at Warbler Place, Spennells, in 1992 and so we are delighted to be working with local partners to bring new social housing to the area."

The two developments will be built by Thomas Vale Construction, of Stourport, which has already built the housing company's HQ at Foley Business Park, Kidderminster.

The building firm and housing company will be working with district schools to give controlled site visits, information on building site safety and on careers in the construction industry.

Youngsters will also be to take part in a marketing campaign for the new properties.

Katrina Wakefield, 11, of St John's Middle School, Kidderminster, was at the launch after winning the Draw Your Dream House competition.

She won a framed copy of her winning design, a family ticket to Legoland and her design will be printed on future publicity about the New Build Programme.

Community housing chairman Chris Lewis said: "This is an important part of our commitment to involve and regenerate communities."