Nearly half of all of the new affordable homes in Medway last year were built by mhs homes.

Figures from the council’s affordable housing development report 2016/17, show 91 units were constructed – 38 of them by the housing provider.

There is a strong need for more affordable housing in Medway and beyond.

The National Housing Federation (NHF) says there is a crisis in the South East, with far too few homes being built.

Between 2011 and 2015 there was a shortfall of almost 4,000 homes in the Towns.

This means a family seeking to buy an average property would need an income of more than £49,000 to afford a mortgage.

Home ownership is an unachievable goal for many living in Medway, where the average annual income was little under £28,000 two years ago, according to the NHF.

That’s why the Chatham Maritime-based mhs is building new properties, mainly in North Kent.

NHF spokesman Victoria Moffett said: “It is absolutely critical we act now to tackle the housing crisis in Medway, where the average home now costs nearly eight times the typical income.

Earlier this year mhs homes pledged to invest at least £94m over the next four years, as part of our development strategy.

This will help ensure we can deliver 650 homes, 80% of which will be affordable.

Ms Moffett added: “Housing associations like mhs are a vital part of the solution and are demonstrating how to build the right homes where they are needed most.

“It is fantastic to see they have single-handedly built such a high proportion of new affordable housing in Medway over the past year – and our sector has a shared ambition to build even more.”

The chief executive of mhs homes, Ashley Hook, said: “We have worked hard to increase the supply of new homes, to meet housing needs and will continue to do so.

"It’s great to see our efforts and those of other housing associations are having a huge impact in our county.

"We are united by the same purpose – to ensure everyone in Kent can live in a quality, affordable home.”

The housing provider hopes to build at least 650 homes in the area within the next four years.

The life of one family was changed forever when they were given an mhs home.

Louise Holloway and her three children had to leave their former home when their private landlord decided to sell.

They became homeless and found themselves hopping from sofa to sofa, trying to avoid a life on the streets.

After a long history of financial difficulties and struggles with mental health, Ms Holloway, 48, was at breaking point, fearful of what the future held.

After months of misery, Louise was introduced to Kent Homechoice, where she made bids on dozens of properties.

She said: “I was losing hope. But then one day this house in Hoo came up.

“It was near my daughter’s school, near my doctor, it was absolutely perfect.”

The three-bedroom house has space for a piano – her 16-year-old daughter has since won several music awards at school and is hoping to go to college to become a music teacher.

The best part of the new home for Ms Holloway is that it is secure and affordable.

She added: “I pay just over £600 a month which is less than half of what I’d pay in private rented accommodation – meaning I can get myself better, do some college courses and get back to work.