New council bungalow proves to be the perfect present for Pauline
A Sunderland resident was given the gift of a more suitable home in time for Christmas after moving into one of five new council-owned bungalows.
Pauline Askew, who suffers from a range of debilitatinghealthconditionsincluding COPD, depression and mobility issues following a double knee replacement, said she is ‘absolutely thrilled’ after being supported with a move to a two-bed bungalow in Southwick – brought to market by Sunderland City Council after the local authority became a Registered Housing Provider earlier this year.
The homes are the first new build properties the council has made available for rent in decades.
Pauline, who lives with her partner George and son Peter, downsized from a three-bedroom house to her new rented two-bedbungalowinElmwood Avenue after it became difficult to manage the stairs in her former Witherwack home.
She said the move has made a hugely positive difference to her quality of life and that of her 39-year-old son, who has cerebral palsy.
The 62-year-old added: “It was getting harder and harder to manage in my old house.
“Simple things like going to the toilet upstairs was becoming a struggle with my knees and it was really awful during ananxiousyear,asIhavestayed at home because of coronavirus and the health problems I
have.
“I registered to move to a new house less than a month
ago and was contacted the next day to be offered the chance to look around Elmwood Avenue.
“I was blown away by it. You couldn’t not be impressed. It’s beautiful.
“It has a lovely high gloss kitchen, carpeted throughout, and I have so much space. I couldn’t be happier.”
Five bungalows were built in Southwick by local developer MCC Homes and purchased by the council to offer for rent to residents as part of a £59million programme that will see the local authority bring more than 360 empty properties into use as family homes over the next five years, deliver 117 new build bungalows and through new build, conversion and refurbishment, create 95 new homes as supported accommodation.
Cllr Kevin Johnston, deputy portfolio holder for dynamic city at Sunderland City Council, said: “I’m absolutely thrilled to see Pauline and her family settling into their lovely new home.”