When Liz and Paul’s private landlord decided to sell up, they were left facing homelessness as they struggled to find an affordable home.
“I was a nervous wreck,” Liz said. “But all we could do is put on a brave face and keep trying.”
After receiving a no-fault eviction at their home of 10 years, they were forced to stay with family for several months and joined 85,000 other households across West Yorkshire on lengthy waiting lists for housing.
“It was a big shock when it happened,” Paul said.
“Our landlord wanted to sell and we were asked if we wanted to buy the home. But unfortunately for us to take out a mortgage would have been really hard.
“After being evicted and then waiting and waiting, we were told to look at going private again. We couldn’t afford to do that. There were a lot of properties available - they were just too far out of our budget.
“We needed some stability and really didn’t want to go through all the turmoil of having to be moved out of a private rent again.”
Fast forward a few months and the family are now looking forward to spending Christmas in their new social rent home at the Climate Innovation District in Leeds.
Managed by Yorkshire Housing and built by Citu - one of the UK’s leading sustainable property developers - the four-bedroom property has provided a truly affordable, secure and sustainable home for the family in need during the housing crisis.
It is one of two new homes which Yorkshire Housing has purchased from Citu, both built with sustainability as a key priority with the use timber frames, recycled wood fibre insulation and triple-glazed windows.
Heating usage and energy bills are also kept to a minimum through mechanical ventilation with heat recovery systems, as well as solar panels.
Paul, who works as a street ranger in Leeds, said: “When we viewed the home, we both looked at each other and just said ‘yes’ straight away. And with it being through Yorkshire Housing, we knew we’d have that stability we needed.
"It ticked all the boxes and it was such a relief knowing that we could get the family back together again.
“These are the type of homes that are really needed. So many working people can’t afford to get on the property ladder. In reality, we would have never been able to afford a place like this privately.”
Liz, who works as a teaching assistant, added: “We’re still pinching ourselves. There must be so many people who’ve been in our situation, so there’s a real need for homes like these.
“What we’ve got now is just brilliant. It’s our dream home.”
Once complete, the Climate Innovation District will comprise of 955 houses and apartments, workplaces, leisure, retail, and a net-zero building which will incorporate a two-form entry primary school, care home and apartments in one.
In the first completed phase, there is already a growing community of 268 residents, with all homes now occupied. These houses are the first to be built in Leeds City Centre for over 100 years.
