Member Article

Flood hit family find their ‘forever home’

A Kendal family who found themselves homeless after flooding forced them out of their rented property is now settling in to their new ‘forever home’ in the town.

Richard Williams, his wife Julie and son Dylan, aged five, are one of the first families to take up residence in Two Castles’ new £2.2 million development of 14 new affordable homes at Burland Grove, Kendal.

The family moved into their new home this summer after spending more than four months being forced to move between temporary accommodation and in desperate need of a permanent home.

Richard said: “When the floods came in December last year we were affected really badly. Our home, which we rented privately, had 4ft of water in it at the worst point.

“Because so many people were affected there was absolutely nowhere for us to go. Even though the house, its electrics and our furniture were all badly damaged we had to stay living there for more than a month over Christmas and New Year.

“When we finally managed to move out, the only place available was a hostel. It was such a difficult time. Not only were we homeless, but my wife lost her mum and we couldn’t even have family to visit.”

After 10 weeks in the hostel and then two months in a temporary holiday home arranged by their local church, the Williams family who have lived in Kendal for 33 years, finally got the keys to their new property.

They moved in on the same day and are now enjoying life in their new two-bedroom Two Castles home.

Richard, a care home worker, added: “Our new home is just tremendous, we’re loving it and call it our ‘forever home’. It’s been quite a big change for all of us, particularly our son Dylan. Our new home is on the other side of the town so he’s also had to move school, but after all of the upheaval it is great to have a place we can make our own.

“Dylan is loving it as he has made new friends with the neighbours’ children and at his new school. There is a really good sense of community here and all of the children play together outside. We’re just so pleased he’s happy and we have settled here after such a difficult start to the year.”

The new Burland Grove homes, situated in Rinkfield, comprise eight two-bedroom houses and six three-bedroom homes.

To find out more about Two Castles Housing Association, visit www.twocastles.org.uk or telephone 01228 541 161. You can also follow @TwoCastlesHA on Twitter.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Castles & Coasts .