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Press Release |
Ref:PRSH239
Date: 3rdJuly 2018
Couple prepare for new home in the country
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As the UK celebrates Rural Housing Week, a Staffordshire couple are preparing to move into their first home together with the help of the area's leading provider of affordable homes for rent and shared ownership.
Thanks to a partnership between Stafford and Rural Homes (SARH) and a leading house builder, Stacey Robinson and fiancé William O'Hara now have the keys to a brand new, one-bedroomed apartment in the village of Eccleshall.
Stacey, 24, has lived most of her life in the area but she says she was facing a move away from family and friends due to the increasing cost of housing in and around the village.
"One bedroom apartments are especially hard to find and property prices in Eccleshall are well beyond our budget," explained Stacey, who works in a local nursery. "Finding somewhere to rent is just as difficult and until we found out about the affordable homes being built in Eccleshall we were considering moving away from the area."
SARH Chief Executive, Karen Armitage, explained: "Like many small towns and villages across the country, Eccleshall has seen spiralling housing costs that threatens the sense of community that make such places so attractive.
"We're delighted to be working with developers to make sure that key workers have somewhere to live and local families are not split up."
Stacey and William, who works in grounds maintenance, plan to get married in 2020 and say they are really excited to be moving in to the modern, well proportioned and energy efficient apartment.
"The property is ideal for us with plenty of space in a fantastic location that will keep us close to Stacey's grandparents," William said. "The process of applying for a home was also very straightforward and we were able to do everything online which was very convenient as we both work full-time."
The couple's experience clearly demonstrates the importance of the provision of affordable housing in the countryside, an issue put firmly in the spotlight by the National Housing Federation during Rural Housing Week (July 2 - 6).
Further information about applying for a SARH home can be found at www.sarh.co.uk
Caption:Preparing to move into their new home in Sancerre Grange, Eccleshall, Stacey Robinson and fiancé William O'Hara.
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About Stafford and Rural Homes
Stafford and Rural Homes (SARH) is the largest social landlord in Stafford with around 6,000 homes across Stafford, Stone and the rural villages across the Borough. Established in 2006 to own and manage the former Stafford Borough Council housing stock, SARHset up a trading subsidiary company Housing Worx, to deliver planned maintenance works to its properties and fulfil commercial contracts in 2012. SARHalso offers 18 Independent Living schemes for people aged over 55 andan award winning Telecare home safety and personal security system for the elderly and vulnerable.SARH has invested more than £100 million on improvement and regeneration programmes and building over 500 high quality new homes for rent and shared ownership which have benefited SARH customers by improving neighbourhoods and creating job opportunities for local people. The housing association works in partnership with local authorities, health trusts, statutory bodies and a range of voluntary organisations to create safe, sustainable communities where residents can ‘Live, Work and Grow'.
Follow SARH on Twitter@SARHomes
Media contact:
Martin Farrow
CHANGEWORKS Communications
t: + 44 (0) 1785 247588
m: +44 (0)7771 970025
e: mfarrow@changeworkscom.co.uk
Stafford and Rural Homes contact:
Mara Hargreaves
Marketing Manager
t:01785 216793 (Direct)
m:07800 619 863 (Mobile)