I feel I am in an environment where people actually care and I am safe | News
I feel I am in an environment where people actually care and I am safe
Today is Starts at Home Day, when housing associations across the country celebrate supported housing and the positive impact it makes on people's lives. We have spoken to some of our residents to find out what difference it has made to them..
“I moved to Devonport House in Rye in October 2016 as I was evicted from my cottage I had privately rented for 11 years. It was in a bad state of repair and the letting agent suggested the owners did it up and then could hike up the rent. There was no way I could stay there and afford the rent and I felt the rug had been pulled from underneath me and there was nowhere affordable to live.
The council couldn’t house me as I had no medical conditions so I moved in with an ex-partner who gave me temporary accommodation. The stress of being evicted was awful, I went through so much trauma. I was so ecstatic when I got offered my flat at Devonport House, I love my little flat here and I feel I’m in an environment where people actually care and I’m safe.
The current private rental market is so expensive and for older people like me who work part time it prices us out of a home. We hear so much about private landlord evictions affecting young families but it’s older people too, it seems like a silent problem. The fact that there is social housing dedicated to older people like me, and we get a certain amount of priority for our age, is a really great thing. Thank you Sussex Housing & Care.”