There’s an extra sprinkle of festive cheer in Garston this year, as the first tenants have moved into their brand-new homes on Church Road - just in time for Christmas.
South Liverpool Homes’ (SLH) latest development has welcomed families into 15 modern two and three-bedroom homes, giving them the perfect place to celebrate the season and start the new year afresh.
The new homes on Church Road, Garston, situated close to King Street, are part of our commitment to tackle the pressing need for affordable housing in the area. Offering both Rent to Buy and affordable rent options, these homes - built by Kingsmead Homes, are designed to the highest sustainability standards, with an EPC (Energy Performance Certificate) rating of A. Each home is equipped with energy-saving solar panels and electric vehicle charging points, ensuring tenants can enjoy both comfort and lower living costs as the colder months set in.
With homes on Church Road now complete and fully occupied, the development marks a significant milestone for the community. Over on Window Lane, Garston, we are close to completing nine additional homes for affordable rent - hoping to welcome the first tenants early in the new year.
Demand for affordable homes in the area is at an all-time high. SLH has seen a 30% increase in the number of people applying for a home over the last two years, and with over 2,000 people on our waiting list, the need for quality affordable housing has never been greater.
“I still can’t believe that it’s my house. It’s amazing – my landlord was really good, but anything could have happened. Now I’m here, it’s knowing that I’m safe here forever.”
- Katie moved from the uncertainty of a privately-rented home to a brand-new home with SLH.
Katie is one of the tenants who moved into their home on Church Road this week. She’s lived in Garston for 17 years in private rented accommodation with her two daughters and had been on our waiting list for seven years before a suitable home became available. With her landlord selling up, a stressful pre-Christmas move was on the cards, so her new home came at just the right time.
“I still can’t believe that it’s my house”, said Katie. “It’s amazing – my landlord was really good, but anything could have happened. Now I’m here, it’s knowing that I’m safe here forever.”
Katie is looking forward to settling into the home before Christmas and her daughters, 13 and 17, have already picked their rooms.
“They’ve got the biggest ones and I’m in the little one,” said Katie, “They spend most of the time in their rooms don’t they!”
Katie has her roots in south Liverpool and is delighted to be close to family and her community.
“One of the girls who lives two doors down, I’ve known her for quite a while and we were all out in the back yesterday, having a chat,” said Katie. “And the young lad came out and said, ‘do you need anything from the shop’”.
When asked to sum up how she felt in one word, Katie said, “It’s got to be amazing. I’ve said it loads haven’t I – AMAZING!”.
“I lost my leg this year so I couldn’t live there anymore. It’s been a tough year, so this has been life changing, really for me. It’s going to help me massively.”
- Denis moved from a first-floor flat in Everton to one of two bungalows on the development.
Denis moved from a first-floor flat in Everton to one of two bungalows on the development.
“I lost my leg this year so I couldn’t live there anymore”, he said.
“It’s been a tough year, so this has been life changing, really for me. It’s going to help me massively.”
When asked what the first thing he was going to do when he moved in, Denis said.
“Just breathe and take it all in really.”
“I’m looking forward to meeting new people and stuff like that. I’m made up.”
Anna Bishop, CEO of South Liverpool Homes, said: “This development is one of many projects we have in the pipeline to help tackle the housing challenges the south Liverpool community faces. We want people to be able to access good quality, affordable rented housing, and the addition of Rent to Buy options offer a pathway to home ownership for many people who might otherwise struggle to get on the property ladder.”
“We are building a total of 98 homes across Garston, across three separate sites, which reflects our commitment to invest in the area, supporting local families and individuals to thrive whilst reducing their living costs and carbon footprint.”
“While we’re committed to delivering much-needed new homes in our area, we equally value the role of green spaces in our communities. That’s why we’ve launched a comprehensive five-year plan to improve local green areas, ensuring our neighbourhoods remain vibrant and welcoming for everyone.”
SLH has invested £19.4m into Garston across all three new developments, including over £6.3m in grant funding from Homes England. This is part of our wider plan to bring 780 new homes to Speke and Garston by 2032 - giving more local families the chance to find their perfect home for many Christmases to come.
Related
Apply for a home
Take the first step towards making south Liverpool your home. Read important information about the documents you need to complete your application and further information about applying for a home to rent.
Who gets our homes?
There’s a lot of talk right now about who gets our homes. Whether it’s on social media or in person, misinformation can spread fast, and cause frustration, confusion and harm. We’re here to talk facts about who gets our homes. We’re here to tell you how we make sure our homes go to those who need them most.
New developments
We’re aiming to build 780 new affordable homes across South Liverpool by 2032. Click through to find out more about our current developments, and how to apply.