Meet the new Greenhaus residents - a young woman's first home

A new Greenhaus customer

Amongst the first residents to move in at Greenhaus, is a young woman who has been on the housing waiting list in Salford for more than a year.

The 20-year-old, who we’re keeping anonymous to protect her identity, works full time in a call centre in Salford and has spent the past year sofa surfing, staying overnight with friends and family members, but with no proper place to call home.

She explained: “I’ve just been living between friends and family, and I am so grateful to them all, but you can’t help but feel like you’re in the way. I’ve not got a proper ‘home’ anywhere, I’ve not got a bedroom that’s mine. I finish work and I feel like I’ve not got anywhere to go – it’s been a struggle.

“I joined the housing waiting list, and I’ve been bidding and bidding on so many properties, but a lot of them that do come up are houses, which I’d never have any chance of getting – it’s just so difficult.”

She has been allocated one of the 11 apartments available for social rent at Greenhaus. She’s moving into a two-bedroom apartment with her friend, who’s also been on the housing waiting list for a long time.

She recalls the moment she was told the good news from her housing officer.

“I nearly burst out crying on the phone – I just couldn’t believe it. I’m so happy – I feel like I have won the lottery,” she said.

“Having a home will make such a huge difference to my life. When I finish work for the day, I’ll be able to come home to a place that’s mine – I can just chill and be stress free. The thing I’m most looking forward to is having my own bed!”

Having grown up in Salford, she was keen to stay where her roots are.

“I’m born and bred in Salford, so the location of Greenhaus is just perfect for me,” she added.

“I had seen it being built, but I never even considered that it would be social housing because it’s absolutely stunning. I just can’t believe that I now have a home there.”