My kids were going to be homeless – then a Rich House Poor House millionaire saved us with a massive surprise
A SINGLE mum who feared she would end up on the streets after she lost her home has been given a lifeline in the form of a house for her family.
Rich House, Poor House star Matt Fiddes came to the rescue of Jenna Land, 36, and her family who were left homeless after their rental home of 11 years in Barnstaple was put up for sale.
The martial arts multi-millionaire 44, who is one of Devon’s biggest private landlords, was contacted by Jenna on Facebook who was desperate for help.
Unable to afford soaring rents which have gone up over 10 per cent across the country in the last year and with the council unable to help, Jenna, a self-employed hairdresser, her two children Zak, 14, and Lottie, 12, and their Jack Russell Milo were facing an uncertain future.
Matt, Michael Jackson’s former bodyguard, was so touched by her moving appeal he arranged for the family to move into a three-bedroom terraced house in the north Devon town complete with a garden for their dog at a knockdown affordable rent.
Overjoyed, Jenna said: ”Matt has saved my family from being thrown onto the street.
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“We had lived in our old home in Barnstaple for 11 years and suddenly the landlady announced she was selling it and we were forced to move out.
“We couldn’t find anywhere else we could afford to rent because prices have gone crazy.
“I need a home to be able to work from as a hairdresser.
“Apart from Universal Credit to help pay for my children I don’t rely on the state for anything else and pay my own way.
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“I knew Matt owned many of the houses in the town so messaged him on Facebook when I started to panic.
“When he told us he could offer us a home at an affordable rent I nearly cried for joy.”
Jenna and her family hope to move into the property at the start of July which would usually command a rent of around £1,300 a month.
“Matt has said we can have it for £950,” Jenna says.
“He pledged he will never sell it from under us and we can live there for as long as we like.”
Matt said: “I am one of the lucky people who doesn’t have money worries but families like Jenna’s are really struggling with rental and living costs.
“She works really hard to provide for her family so I couldn’t turn my back on them after her request to help out.
“If Jenna doesn’t have a home she can’t work so it’s a vicious circle.
“I was happy to agree to an affordable rent to help get them back on their feet.”
Matt says he has been contacted by North Devon District Council who have asked him if he can help house local families to get them out of hotel accommodation.
“My plan is to buy some big family homes to offer out to families in the area.
“Hopefully Jenna is the first of many families I can help in the future.
“It has become a passion project for me.”
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In 2017, Matt and his family appeared on Channel 5’s Rich House, Poor House show when they traded in their six-bedroom mansion in Royal Wootton Bassett, Wilts, for Andy Leamon and his disabled wife Kim’s four-bed home on a council estate in Southampton.
At the end of the show Matt and his wife, singer Monique were so moved by their situation they bought Kim a brand new mobility scooter which the family say has transformed their life.
