New baby, Elexis Anne, arrived the day before the removals van, as a surprise early Christmas present for Hayley Burnside and her daughter Shardel, aged 18 months old
Hayley had previously been living in an upstairs flat which was unsuitable for herself, her young child and her new baby. Her support co-ordinator, Amanda Jacques from Stonham Housing contacted Darlington Council to ask if they had a property which would be more suitable for Hayley and her family.
Darlington Council informed Amanda about the Empty Homes Community Grant’s programme, which they are currently working in partnership with Five Lamps to refurbish long term empty properties. He also informed her that a newly refurbished property had just become available to rent.
The two bedroomed home which had been empty for a number of years was in a poor state of repair when the council’s Empty Homes Officer, Michael Conyard, contacted the owner to see if they would be interested in having the property refurbished.
With the home owner’s consent, the property was refurbished to a high standard; Five Lamps also installed a new A-rated boiler. JDP Contracting Services Limited approached Five Lamps and offered them free external wall insulation both measures have made the property energy efficient which will save Hayley money in the future on her energy bills. An Energy Advisor at Five Lamps has also arranged to contact Hayley to ensure she is on the cheapest supplier/tariff available.
Hayley said:
“The house is absolutely beautiful; top to bottom everything is perfect. I’m really, really pleased with it, and it’s so much better than the flats, I wouldn’t be able to manage the stairs with a pushchair and the two little ones, It’s also came at the right time after just giving birth to a baby and Christmas coming up”
Linda Evans, Five Lamps Operations Manager, Financial Inclusion & Housing said
“Five Lamps are aiming to refurbish and bring back into use up to 49 properties across Durham and Darlington by 2015. It is really gratifying for all the partners in the scheme to hear positive comments, not only from owners and new tenants, but also other people living in the area who are pleased about the beneficial impact the work has made to their neighbourhood”
Five Lamps are currently working with Darlington and Durham Councils to refurbish and bring properties back in to use through the Empty Homes Community Grant’s programme. The contract is funded until March 2015. The funding was secured from The Department of Communities and Local Governments’ Empty Homes Community Grants Programme which is administered by Tribal Education.
Empty Property Week runs from 1-5 December 2014.