DCB (Kent) Ltd are building the affordable housing units and started on site in March with the garage demolitions.
The £2.8m project is phased, with full completion expected by Spring 2017. Exeter Close and Bulwark Road will be completed first, with the four sites in Ashanti Close to follow.
Cllr Mark Flewitt, Executive Councillor for Housing, says: “I am delighted that this project is proceeding so well. Addressing housing need is well documented across the country and in Southend-on-Sea it is greater than ever.
“The construction of 18 high quality homes for affordable rent is a substantial number that will make a real difference to local people and shows the innovative nature of this council.
“This is the first time in decades that a project like this has been undertaken and I hope it will pave the way for further ambitious council housing schemes.”
The homes are being built to Lifetime Homes, Secured by Design and the Code for Sustainable Homes Level 4 Standards with two of the ground floor flats in Ashanti Close being designed and built for use by disabled tenants.
All the houses will all have off street parking for two vehicles. The parking adjacent to the new houses has been redesigned to improve parking provision for the surrounding residents and the area in front of the new Ashanti flats has been redesigned to provide additional parking for local residents.