A much-needed affordable housing scheme is to spur the regeneration of a run-down area.

MP Marsha Singh unveiled 18 new family homes on Henna Close yesterday as part of an on-going revamp of Horton Bank Top.

The homes have been built in response to community demand with tenants struggling in poor, overcrowded privately-rented accommodation.

Manningham Housing Association, The Housing Corporation and Bradford Community Housing Trust teamed up for the project, which has cost £2,371,211 in private finance and grants.

Seven homes are three-bed, nine homes are four-bed and two homes have five bedrooms.

One of the 69 residents who applied for a home, Kunta Devi, said: "I wasn't on the waiting list long, less than a year, and I was thrilled to get offered the house.

"The scheme is good. There are lots of kids and they all get on with each other."

Resident Mustansa Javad, 37, said: "It is really nice here. The area is really quiet and very clean."

Esther Allen, 36, who lives in Henna Close with her husband Peter, 37, and their three children, said: "It is lovely.

"The children are thrilled to have their own rooms and the views are beautiful." Resident Zanib Thackray, 43, has been organising dance classes for youngsters in the area and is hoping to set up a football team.

Each of the units are energy efficient and have met crime prevention and security standards.

Mr Singh, MP for Bradford West, said: "It will be good for the area. £2 million is being spent in the area as a whole as part of its regeneration.

"It's a very mixed development and is an example of Manningham Housing Association spreading its wings. There is a huge demand for social housing in Bradford for many families and large type of homes."

Akhtar Malik, chairman of Manningham Housing Association, said: "It's a delight to see such quality; it is achieved through dedication to detail as much as good planning by Bradford Council."

John Carleton, The Housing Corporation's field director for the North, said: "The houses are a significant step in the regeneration of the local neighbourhood."

Last week, Manningham Housing Association unveiled nine of its new solar-powered homes at the 12-bedroom apartment at Holroyd Court, off Haworth Road. The project was in partnership with Bradford West City Housing Trust.

e-mail: nishika.patel @bradford.newsquest.co.uk