Homes for Wells secure two new homes for key workers

Homes for Wells has purchased the properties in the town ahead of them being sold on the open market and will house local key workers in a three-bedroom house in Gales Road, and a two-bedroom flat in Northfield Waye brought from Flagship Housing Association.

Lynne Burdon, chair of Homes for Wells, said: “We are delighted to have added these two properties to our portfolio. We will push on with the refurbishment works as quickly as possible and hope to have two more families moving in within weeks.”

Lynne Burdon, the Chair of Homes for Wells (Image: Homes for Wells)

Homes for Wells is a charitable community benefit society, which was formed back in 2006 by local people who were concerned about the housing problem in the town.

The group provides homes at affordable rent for key workers - it currently houses 31 families and has a further 46 on the waiting list of whom five are homeless.

The purchases were made possible by a grant of £50,000 from North Norfolk District Council, which also provided a loan of £120,000.

Homes for Wells also received two big donations to secure the properties – one of £50,000 from the sale of a property in Wells, and another of £35,000 to cover the refurbishment of Gales Road.

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The balance of just under £200,000 was paid from reserves accumulated over the last couple of years from donations, standing orders and fund-raising events.

The total cost of the properties including a budget for refurbishment is around £450,000.

Employers in Wells are finding it increasingly difficult to recruit staff who are forced out of the area due to the high cost of renting or buying homes as prices are pushed up by demand for holiday accommodation and second homes.