Family Become 1,000th Occupier Of Cornwall Housing Project

A family have spoken of their pride at being the 1,000th occupier of a home under the Homes for Cornwall initiative.

Paul and Rachel Holding and their two children – Rowan, four and Elliott, two – had been searching for months for a Shared Ownership property in Penzance.

Privately renting a small two-bedroom home had become unsustainable for their growing family and Rachel pinned her hopes on securing one of the new homes being developed by leading housing LiveWest and regeneration specialists, Vistry Partnerships. Little did they realise that when they secured their dream home in Penzance St Clare, that they would achieve a milestone in a project designed to boost housing provision across the county

The Homes for Cornwall project is a partnership between Cornwall Council, LiveWest and Vistry Partnerships to deliver affordable and open-market homes on council-owned sites across the Duchy. Penzance St Clare is the largest of the sites, with other homes having been built at Shortlanesend, Blackwater, Madron, Penzance, Wadebridge, St Breward, and Marazion.

Rachel, 33, said: “It is a real honour to be the 1,000th home occupied as part of the Homes for Cornwall initiative. We had heard all about it and it seemed a great way of ensuring affordable homes are being built for people like us.

“We were privately renting in Penzance but it was expensive and it becomes difficult to save. So we hounded LiveWest as we knew about some Shared Ownership being planned in the area. We missed out on a few but we didn’t give up and kept looking at the LiveWest website.

“We spotted a three-bedroom home which was close to schools, the doctors and shops – it was perfect. Then we found out we had been successful and we were absolutely thrilled.”

Rachel, who is in her second year as a student nurse, added: “I was born in North Wales and moved to Cornwall 10 years ago. We love it here and being by the sea tops it off. So to finally get our first home as a family is a dream come true. We were able to watch it being built and so the journey has been exciting for everyone.

“Now we have moved in and it is everything we had hoped for. We have got a nice garden which is great for the children and the quality of the home is fantastic. My husband’s family are close by and I am hoping my family from North Wales can come and visit when restrictions are eased.”

Robert Cock, head of delivery for LiveWest, said: “It is fantastic to hear about Rachel and her family’s journey to securing their home.

“Helping to develop affordable homes is our focus and it is great to see what a difference we can make in people’s lives. LiveWest is delighted to have made a significant contribution towards the Homes for Cornwall initiative, led by Cornwall Council, to deliver more than 1,000 much-needed affordable homes across the county.

“LiveWest remains committed to investing in new affordable housing in the county, and we are looking forward to working with the council to deliver the even more high-quality affordable homes.”

Find out more at www.livewest.co.uk.

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