There’s no place like home

Published by Riverside for Riverside in Housing and also in Communities

A former semi-professional darts player who was left homeless after his landlord kicked him out without warning has found a place he can call home.

Anthony Pearce, 51, his wife, Samantha, 38, and their three children have moved into a brand new three-bedroom semi on the edge of Catterick Garrison in North Yorkshire.

The development of 12 affordable family homes is owned and managed by housing association Riverside, whose social and supported housing arm ECHG also own and manage The Beacon, the neighbouring training and housing centre for war veterans.

Anthony said: “Prior to moving here, we were in and out of private landlord accommodation. The problem with private landlords is you can’t really settle because you never know if you’re contract is going to be extended beyond the next six months.

“At one point we ended up in a homeless unit for over three months because we were kicked out without any warning and didn’t have anywhere else to go. It was a nightmare.

“It’s nice to finally have a place we can call home. You have more rights as a social housing tenant than a private tenant so it’s good to have the added security.”

He added: “The house itself is fantastic. It has all the mod cons including solar panels, which will really help keep the fuel bills down.”

The homes have been built to maximise energy and water efficiency with features such as solar panels, extra insulation and rainwater harvesting facilities, all of which contribute to lower running costs as well as a lower carbon footprint.