RISING house prices across West Devon have led to record numbers of households registering for rented accommodation while at the same time there has been a dramatic increase in the number of homeless families, West Devon Homes annual report shows.
Tenants, staff, trustees and other guests gathered at the Wharf in Tavistock, last week for the company?s third annual meeting.
West Devon Homes reported on its achievements during its third complete year of operation and unveiled its annual report.
West Devon Homes has now spent more than £5-million on improvements since transfer of
housing stock back in 1999, with a further £1.8-million in the current year.
Improvements have included the installation of 250 new kitchens, plus central heating systems, double glazing, electrical upgrading and smoke and heat detection in hundreds more properties.
West Devon Homes has also built or bought more than 50 homes, with a further 40 in production and 150 more planned for the coming three years.
Despite this, Stuart Davies, chief executive, warned there was no time to be complacent, as on average three families a week were accepted as homeless in West Devon.
He hoped West Devon Homes? continued success could be
channelled into meeting the growing need for affordable homes.
Mr Davies paid tribute to the work done by outgoing chairman Derrick Pinckard who commented: ?I hope I have helped lay the foundation for more success in the future.
?There are over a thousand households now on our waiting lists, each is a reason why the company needs to thrive.?
l West Devon Homes raised more than £170 when staff in Tavistock took part in the nationwide ?Strip 4 Shelter? event recently.
Staff members made a donation to don their favourite football strip for the day, with all funds raised going to the homelessness charity Shelter.