My wealthy neighbours live in posh homes while I’m facing homelessness …we’re the hidden poor in a divided town
RESIDENTS living in a beautiful village have said that their town is divided between those struggling on low incomes and wealthy neighbours.
For many of those living in the Black Country, the village of Hagley in Worcestershire seems like a dream come true.
A bustling high street with delis and boutiques, "outstanding" local schools, beautiful scenery and its own train station make it a most sought-after place for anyone in the area.
The streets are clean and most of the houses are beautiful, detached properties with gardens to the front and rear.
But when the average three-bed property lists for over £500,000 and rents are sky high, this taste of heaven can be hell for those on limited incomes.
Single mum Rachel Jenkins, 55, admits life can be a struggle for the "hidden poor" in a wealthy village.
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"Just because you live in an affluent area, it does not necessarily mean that you are affluent," she said.
"I know families who are really struggling to stay here and don’t want to leave because their children are in the schools and leaving would cause disruption.
"Equally, you can be asset rich and cash poor. It is a beautiful place but what you see on the surface does not tell the full story.
"Some families are struggling to keep a roof over their heads.
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"I know one with kids in the local schools who were facing homelessness and only allowed to keep their home on a week by week basis."
Another local single mum, who asked not to be named, said she had spent three years waiting for a council property while living in a one-bedroom flat.
She said she had bid on more than 100 homes since joining the waiting list, without any joy.
"We're not seen as a priority and there are so many coming through each week, pushing you down the list," she told .
"If you're not a priority, you could end up just being there and just getting pushed down.
"It will be three years in June and it could be another two or three years. I'm bidding but I'm not getting anywhere.
"I understand there are people who are priority but I'm stuck in a one-bedroom flat and it's damn frustrating. There's no space, it's not suitable."
'EVERYTHING IS EXPENSIVE'
Others who work in Hagley can only dream of being able to afford to live in it.
Big Issue seller Monica Paum, 21, said: "If I could live here I would because it is a nice place, but everything is so expensive.
"Even a can of drink can cost you £1.60 or £1.80 here, when it is only 70p or 80p in one of the nearby towns."
The village is surrounded by several bigger towns – Stourbridge is just three miles away and a little further is Kidderminster, Bromsgrove, Halesowen and Dudley.
Hagley itself was formed around its eponymous Hall, a Grade I listed mansion built in the 18th century by the Lyttleton family.
The Cala estate, finished in 2019, saw 190 new homes built, pushing the population up to 7,500.
Some 40 per cent were ‘affordable’ which meant social rents or shared ownership schemes applied.
Steve Colella, a councillor and the village’s longest serving Parish Council Chairman, said: "Hagley is one of the most expensive places to live in the area.
"We don’t have brownfield sites in the village so the land we are able to use is prime building land on the green belt and that means premium prices.
"It was clear that the developers were most interested in four or five-bedroom properties to make their money and we pushed hard for affordable options.
"We have a local plan group for Hagley which has been looking at housing needs and it is clear that there is a need for one and two bedroom affordable type housing.
"What we don’t want is people having to move out and take their children out of local schools."
"Hagley is one of the most expensive places to live in the area."
Steve Colella, Parish Council Chairman
Two local secondary schools, together with a primary, are a key reason for families wanting to move into the area, pushing house prices up and up.
Louise Bradley, 33, a merchandiser and mum of two pre-schoolers, moved in three days ago from Halesowen.
She said: "We had family in the area and for us it was the schools.
"We are very lucky that my husband has a well paid job so we are able to afford to move here.
"We have bought a three-bed house that needs a lot of work which is why we paid £450,000."
One high street estate agent, specialising in country homes, said: "That sounds like a good price for a three-bed around here. They mostly go for £500,000 to £700,000.
"We saw a massive rise in house prices during Covid but now they are falling back because of interest rates, inflation and the cost of living crisis."
Any families hoping for a social housing option in Hagley are likely to be disappointed.
The council houses were bought up long ago and according to Councillor Colella, you could count on two hands the number of Hagley’s 3,000 properties now owned by the Bromsgrove District Housing Trust.
'DESPERATE'
Fellow councillor Rachel Jenkins, who has represented Hagley East since she led opposition to the plans for the Cala Homes development, warns Hagley is becoming the preserve of the rich.
"If a (local authority) property does become available, the Trust tends to sell it off and use the money to build in Bromsgrove where they think it is more needed.
"We desperately need affordable homes. People get illnesses, divorce is going up due to the cost of living pressures so we need safety nets."
Nurse Jane Newman, 48, lives on the newly built Cala Estate where a minority of the 190 new homes come under shared ownership arrangements to make them more affordable.
Jane, who lives with her two school-age daughters, said: "I was lucky in that I got a fixed rate mortgage and, because I am older, I could afford a deposit.
"If I was a first time buyer now, I would really struggle to afford a house. I know the rent for three bed homes here is £1800-a-month and that is a lot of money to find."
While her neighbour, Lilian Hart, 72, added: "It is a lovely area to live in. I have not seen any run-down housing in Hagley. It is a very smart place."
Hagley’s high street is packed with all the signs of modern prosperity – boutiques, delis, coffee shops every few yards, a cobblers and several pubs.
However, a 29-year-old businessman, who had set up his own carpentry company, had little sympathy for those struggling to afford Hagley prices.
"I have grown up around and it has always been a wealthy place," he said.
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"All the villages around here are like that. They say nobody moves into Client unless someone dies.
"If you have not got the money, you will have to move out, it’s that simple."
