News

Wednesday 28th February 2018

'SOS project' house in Totnes is about to welcome new owners.

 A Totnes house, vacated by a family when agencies met a desperate need for accommodation to suit their disabled child, has been re-sold following refurbishment.

South Devon Rural Housing Association (SDR) collaborated with local agencies to provide the family with a shared-ownership local home that could be adapted to their needs. In order that the move from their own property to their new home went smoothly, SDR agreed to purchase it. The housing association has since refurbished their previous home in Totnes and the property was put on sale.

SDR entered into a joint venture with South Hams District Council, VirginCare and Devon County Council to identify and adapt a suitable home for the family in the autumn of 2017. The urgent need for facilities to cope with the child’s specific disabilities meant that a project much like television’s DIY SOS needed to swing into action. The only problem was that their existing home could not be adapted to suit the needs of the family.

The partners worked together with urgency and efficiency and the family were soon living in their newly-adapted home. Work could then begin on their previous house so it could be fully refurbished before going on the market through the local office of Fulfords estate agents.

The four-bedroom, semi-detached house has an open-plan kitchen/dining room, spacious modern interior and an enclosed garden, with views over a stream and a small valley. A buyer was found just one week after it went on the market, so the house will soon be welcoming new occupants.

SATISFYING

Steve Prime, Chief Executive of SDR, said: “This is the next chapter in a very satisfying story, as this property will provide a lovely home for another household. Meanwhile, the family with the disabled child are living in much more suitable accommodation. People are what we are about.

“Founded in 1958 to provide social housing for local people, SDR has evolved into a modern organisation that has social objectives at the heart of its work. We have steadily increased our housing stock and have continued to deliver quality affordable housing.

“Whilst our core business is providing affordable rented or shared-ownership homes, we also provide many forms of housing- related support services. A consistent theme is sharing a system of values about service to tenants and other customers, and to the wider community.

“As we celebrate our Diamond Anniversary this year, we are moving forward with an ambitious and progressive programme of projects big and small, which will continue to benefit individuals and families with specific housing needs”.

Ends

Editor’s Notes

  • SDR was founded in 1958 with the aim of providing social housing for local people
  • SDR provides and supports a number of housing and care services across S. Devon
  • SDR is an ethical, not-for-profit body, with an entrepreneurial and flexible approach
  • SDR is a well-managed, respected and responsible member of the community
  • SDR has an enviable reputation in S. Devon for the quality of its housing and services.

Issued by Steve Prime, CEO, South Devon Rural Housing Association Limited.

For further information, please email: steve@southdevonrural.com

Or telephone: 01803 863550