Homes for Wells Celebrates Two Decades of Supporting Key Workers
Homes for Wells, a housing charity based in Wells-next-the-Sea, Norfolk, has marked its 20th anniversary since its establishment. The organisation provides affordable rental accommodation to key workers and currently supports 47 families across Wells and nearby villages including Stiffkey, Holkham, Wighton, and Warham.
The charitable trust owns a portfolio of 27 properties valued at £5 million and also manages additional properties let through the organisation.
"It's absolutely critical not just for the families involved, but also for all the people of Wells, because these are the people that staff our health centres, our schools, our shops, our hospitality industries, they're our carers,"said Lynne Burdon, chair of Homes for Wells.
Homes for Wells continues to face high demand, with a substantial waiting list, and aims to acquire more properties to address the shortage of affordable housing in the region.
The charity noted that, similar to many communities along the north Norfolk coast, housing affordability remains a significant challenge for those employed in low-wage roles. Properties managed by Homes for Wells are rented at approximately 80% of the local market rate, prioritising key workers and individuals with established local connections.
Housing Affordability Challenges in North Norfolk
Data from the Office for National Statistics indicates that the average monthly rent for a one-bedroom flat in north Norfolk is £610, while average weekly earnings in the area stand at £584.
High Number of Empty and Second Homes
North Norfolk has one of the highest rates outside central London of homes that are either empty or used infrequently. Of the 55,000 homes in the area, nearly 6,000 are classified as second homes or long-term empty properties, defined as unoccupied and largely unfurnished.
Personal Story: Staying Local Despite High Rents
Annie Golding, aged 37, who grew up in Wells-next-the-Sea, shared her experience of trying to remain in the area to raise a family and develop her business amid high rental costs.
"Myself and my partner, we'd just had our first child and we were living in a second-floor flat privately rented,"she said.
"We were on the Homes for Wells waiting list and we were lucky enough to get allocated a house, and we stayed there for three years.
Whilst we were there we managed to further our careers. I owned a cafe in the town and my now husband was a fisherman, and we managed to save up for a deposit and managed to buy our own ex-council house."
Golding is now a trustee of Homes for Wells and expressed optimism about the charity's future growth.
"I think in the next 20 years we will have doubled the number of homes we run."
Local Government Response to Housing Issues
Wendy Fredericks, a Liberal Democrat councillor on North Norfolk District Council, highlighted the ongoing difficulties young people face in securing affordable housing in the area.
"Affordable housing is a real problem in north Norfolk especially for young people.
Second homes is part of it. We've levied a double council tax on them which goes towards providing more housing and to support those who do find themselves homeless."
The double council tax premium on second homes in north Norfolk was introduced in April 2025 as part of efforts to address housing affordability.
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