Four homes handed over to Holt Housing Society

Date published: 6th June 2018

A housing association has taken on the ownership of four homes, thanks in part to financial support from North Norfolk District Council. They will provide much needed affordable homes to rent for residents who have local connections to Holt and the surrounding area.

NNDC has allocated £250,000 to help Holt Housing Society (HHS) increase its stock. The funding represents some of the money NNDC has received from the Community Housing Fund.

Three of the four houses are new-build properties on the Hopkins Homes King’s Meadow development, and the fourth involves the purchase of an existing house in the town.

HHS has already lined up the tenants for the three new-builds, which have now been completed and handed over to the housing association.

One of the tenants is Carly Gibbs, who was born and bred in Holt. The 27-year-old says the affordable-housing scheme means she, her partner Billy and six-month-old Oakley can now have their own home.

“I have lived in Holt my whole life, but the cost of housing around here has made it very hard for us to afford our own place,” said Carly.

“The housing society has helped our dream come true, and it is great that we can now afford our own home in the town where we grew up.”

Gemma Farrow, secretary of HHS, said: “We provide an essential service for families who wouldn’t otherwise be able to get their own homes. The support North Norfolk District Council has given us by allocating this money has been invaluable as we continue to try to ensure that local people can afford to live in the town.

“This is an ongoing issue for many families, and we are very grateful for the help we have had from the district council.”

HHS is a charity run by a committee of volunteers that manages nearly 40 properties in and around Holt.

In December 2016, NNDC was awarded £2.4m from central government to help tackle the impact of second homes in the district. In Holt, 10% of all homes are used as second or holiday homes.