Community benefits society East Marsh United have completed a full refurbishment of their third property.
The group, which is run by local residents on the East Marsh, aims to seek out practical solutions to the problems faced by people living on the East Marsh.
After launching the area’s first Community Housing Organisation late last year, the group took on two properties on Grimsby’s Rutland Street and fully refurbished them using local labour, before welcoming their first tenants.
Now East Marsh United have completed a full refurbishment of their third property on the same street.
The property, which had been vacant for about 13 years, had become a real eyesore on the street, attracting anti-social behaviour and spates of vandalism.
The work to the property included a much-needed makeover to the front elevation.
The project has benefitted from £201,000 of funding from the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government, and it is hoped that it will contribute towards creating a more affordable and sustainable housing market.
The third property was purchased in partnership with North East Lincolnshire Council, using funding awarded by Homes England.
East Marsh United Chair, Billy Dasein, said: “We now have three beautiful homes for three good East Marsh families with the added bonus of East Marsh United standing with them as their ethical Community Landlord – we will always put human well-being before rental profits.”
Councillor Callum Procter, portfolio holder for economic growth, housing and tourism at North East Lincolnshire Council, said: “The work being done by East Marsh United to really revolutionise the local housing market is ambitious and something that we fully support.
“I’m excited to see the project continuing – so far they’ve taken three properties that were really having a negative impact on their surrounding area, and they’ve turned them into nice, habitable properties where families can live once again.”
A new tenant is about to move into the recently completed property. With three properties in their ownership, it gives the group a solid foundation to move forward with plans to purchase more properties in the local area.
Find out more about East Marsh United and for just £1 become a member and stand with them in solidarity: www.eastmarshunited.org
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