Kevin and Vivienne Cotton

Long nights of taking turns to sleep on the sofa are over for Kevin and Vivienne Cotton. With their children Reece, ten, and Terri, seven, the couple recently moved into a brand new three-bedroom home in the village of Great Leighs, near Chelmsford.

Chelmer Housing Partnership’s new scheme of affordable homes for rent and shared ownership has given a fresh start to the family who spent more than two years living with Kevin’s parents in their two-bedroom house – a situation which became more stressful as time went on.

The couple found themselves unable to buy a home on returning from seven years living in Germany, where Kevin worked, or to get to the top of the waiting list for a council house. Moving to Great Leighs will help them put down roots quickly, Kevin says. “Vivienne was born and bred in Great Leighs so it’s a home from home for her.”

Vivienne is also looking forward to entertaining family and friends in her own home. “For once I’ll be able to do all the cooking in my new kitchen,” she says.