After ten years of running the local pub in the village of Summerbridge, near Harrogate, Deborah Rowe and her family finally decided that enough was enough.

“It’s difficult bringing up children in a pub,” says Deborah. “Our daughter Rebecca was falling behind with her schoolwork and we had no real time to help her.”

But without any real savings, they were faced with the problem of where to live. “We couldn’t afford to buy and it’s hard to find good rented accommodation in this area,” says Deborah.

The Rowes put their name on the council’s housing list. Fortunately for the family, new affordable rented housing was about to become available, thanks to the work of Home Housing Group and two local councils. Thanks to a local farmer who wanted to support the community, a plot of land for affordable homes was secured on the edge of the village.

Seven two and three-bedroom homes were completed in November 2005 and the Rowes moved in shortly afterwards.

“This house meets all out needs, including a nice big kitchen and living room, all very well laid out and very spacious,” says Deborah. “And staying in Smmerbridge means that our daughter can carry on at the village school.”