An open day showcasing social housing in Coundon has been a resounding success with new tenants even picking up the keys to their new homes on the spot.
The event was staged by County Durham Housing Group in Eden Close, near the centre of Coundon. It gave home seekers the chance to look around a two-bed show-home and learn more about the variety of other properties available to rent immediately from the group; from one-bedroom flats to three-bed family houses.
With experienced housing officers on hand the event was also a great way to learn more about social housing and potentially apply for a new home straight away. Two households even signed up and collected the keys to their new home on the same day thanks to the streamlined application process.
In the nine months since County Durham Housing Group launched its new approach to providing immediately available properties, the group has helped around 250 customers pick up the keys to their new home within days.
County Durham Housing Group Head of Housing Operations, Simon Bartlett said: “Many people looking for a new home don’t think to look at social housing. There’s a misconception that you have to go on a waiting list and wait ages for a property; and that you have to be on benefits to qualify. This isn’t the case.
“We’ve got a huge variety of different types of home right across the county. It doesn’t matter if you’re in work, whether you’re single or have a family; there’s a very good chance that we’ll have a property suitable for you.
“And because we’re a social landlord, we can offer very affordable rent, with no need for a bond. We’ll provide support to help people move in and offer much more security than is available in the private sector.”
More information on County Durham Housing Group’s immediately available properties is available at www.countydurhamhousing.co.uk/properties, by calling 0800 083 0333, or emailinglettingswest@cdhg.co.uk.