Building new affordable homes has the power to change lives – like Rob’s, a local man from Cheddar, who has found stability and comfort after spending months living in a campervan parked in a layby.
Following an unexpected separation from his partner, Rob found himself priced out of the private rental market in the area he had lived for years. “The cost of renting a one-bed apartment was astronomical,” he said, “I looked everywhere from Portishead to Bridgwater, but I couldn’t afford it. Competition was fierce, and I felt like I had nowhere to turn.”
Living in his campervan, Rob struggled to meet his basic needs and relied on friends for essentials like showering and cooking. With support from the local authority’s homeless outreach programme, he began applying for social housing. However, with so many people bidding for the same properties, he faced dozens of unsuccessful applications.
Everything changed in December 2023 when housing association Alliance Homes called to say his application for a one-bedroom apartment in Cheddar had been successful. The property, one of 63 new homes delivered by Alliance Homes in Somerset in 2023-2024, was exactly what Rob needed to rebuild his life.
Rob described the moment as “life changing.” He said, “It had been a difficult six months, both physically and mentally. When I visited the property, I was blown away – a new build home. I was brought to tears.”
Chief Executive Officer at Alliance Homes, Louise Swain, says
says: "At Alliance, we exist to provide homes people are proud to call home. Hearing the difference this can make to people's lives, like Rob, is fantastic.
"We believe everyone has the right to a safe and secure home, and helping support people's transition from homelessness into a permanent home is critical to this. Over the last year, we supported 113 individuals and families. Rob sharing his story speaks to how important this is."
Now settled in his new home, Rob describes his life as “comfortable and "stable”.
For anyone concerned about homelessness, or in need of support, please contact your local authority:
- Somerset: https://www.somerset.gov.uk/housing-support/homelessness-and-prevention/
- Bath and North East Somerset: www.bathnes.gov.uk/if-youre-homeless-sleeping-rough-or-threatened-homelessness
- Bristol: www.bristol.gov.uk/residents/housing/finding-a-home/homeless-or-at-risk-of-being-homeless
- North Somerset: www.n-somerset.gov.uk/my-services/housing/help-if-you-are-homeless-or-need-support
- South Gloucestershire: find-information-for-adults-children-families.southglos.gov.uk/kb5/southglos/directory/advice.page?id=2sQ79T30fdg