People need homes they can afford to live in – and action must be taken to end the current housing crisis and provide for future generations.
This was the message brought to the Forest of Dean on Thursday when Two Rivers Housing joined the national ‘Homes for Britain’ relay currently being held across the South West.
The campaign, drugs led by the National Housing Federation, is raising awareness of the shortage of affordable homes in this country and persuading politicians and voters to make it a priority in the forthcoming General Election.
On Thursday, the campaign’s key-shaped baton was passed to Two Rivers Housing in the centre of the Severn Bridge, and staff drove, cycled and walked the miles to hand it on to colleagues at Severn Vale Housing in Tewkesbury in the afternoon.
En route, the campaign message was taken to Coleford, and the home of 28-year-old Roxanne Blake.
Roxanne Blake admits she went through “a bit of a wild time” in her late teens but, six years on, she is living proof of how you can turn your life around when you have a place to call home.
Roxanne hit crisis point in 2008. “I had a relationship breakdown, I lost my job, I could not afford to rent, had to sell my car and suddenly I was homeless,” she explained. The council found a temporary place for her at the housing association-run supported hostel at Lydney Gateway. Then she discovered she was pregnant.
Roxanne moved into a Two Rivers Housing flat just before baby Cora was born and has since reunited with her partner Phil and moved her family – including month-old Oliver – into a brand new Two Rivers home in Coleford.
“I could not believe it when we were offered this house,” she said. “It’s brand new, it’s lovely and we’re so happy. Also, my family live in Coleford so I was really pleased to come back.
“Now I’m working and driving again, I have a strong relationship with my partner, Cora is doing really well at school and I have great relationships with my family and my neighbours.”
David Powell, Chair of Two Rivers Housing, met Roxanne yesterday with Chief Executive Garry King and Steve Parry-Hearn, the Labour Party’s Prospective Parliamentary Candidate.
“Roxanne’s story is inspiring but not everyone will be as fortunate as there are just not enough quality homes to rent at prices people can afford,” said David. “It is particularly hard for young people struggling to find the money to live independently of their parents and for people, like Roxanne, who hit a difficult patch in their life and need some help to get back n their feet and turn their life around.
“This is a national issue affecting people of all ages across the whole the country, and Two Rivers will play its part in continuing to raise awareness of the problem, and urging action to bring it to an end for the benefit of future generations.”