Homeless housing puts Norfolk council under ‘huge strain’

Claire Shearing, 44, has just moved into a new, affordable rental house in Northrepps, Norfolk, built by Broadland Housing Association.

She had previously been living in a two-bedroom house with her husband and two children for five years while waiting for a new home to become available.

Her 10-year-old son has autism and was having to share a bedroom with his six-year-old sister, which was placing pressure on the family.

Now living in a three-bedroom house, Mrs Shearing said the family were much calmer in their new accommodation.

“It’s just basically dream come true,” she said. “Everyone is just so much more relaxed. The kids are sleeping better.

“It’s been a total weight lifted off everybody’s shoulders.

“But there should be more houses like this because there’s just so many people around that need housing.”