Imagine having to flee for your lives, from the country you and your family were born and raised in, loved dearly, and had worked hard to create a successful business in, due to circumstances beyond your personal control. Not having any choice in the decision, fearing for your lives and having to navigate numerous challenges in your search for safety, freedom and stability.

Just over three years ago, Yaad, his wife and two daughters, then aged 8 and 6, were faced with circumstances that meant they had to do just this. They fled Iran and made their way to the UK where they were able to find safety and accommodation.

Yaad, now aged 35, explains why he had to leave Iran, “One of the worst years I experienced was having to leave my country, where I used to have a good life, running my own restaurant. Because of my religious conversion, my whole life was taken away from me and destroyed, and now I have to start all over again. Suddenly everything changed, and I knew that I had to flee from there with my family. After three years and with the help of the UK, I was able to bring them here and forget a little of the hardships we had experienced.”

Initially, the family were found temporary accommodation in Greater Manchester.

“We used to live in a temporary house in very difficult conditions. The house was old and too cold for the children, but we made the most of it.”

Thankfully, Yaad and his family were referred to Salix Homes, one of Resonance’s National Homelessness Property Fund 2’s (NHPF2) three housing partners in the North West. Salix was able to house Yaad and his family in a 2-bedroom home in the Greater Manchester area, closer to his workplace, a supermarket, where he is currently working part-time, although he would like to work full-time.

Yaad said, “We are in the new house, it is warm, and the garden is safe where my children can play comfortably. Our new house means peace and enjoyment of life for us.

“I used to have to walk a long way to get to where I work, but when we moved to this house it was much closer for me. This is great. I hope that in the future I can get more work and a normal life without problems for myself and my family, and I am sure that I can, because this house has reduced a lot of my problems.”

Thinking about his future in the UK with his family, Yaad explained, “I have a big plan for life and I want to try my best to take my children to the stages where they can provide the greatest achievement and contribution to society in the future, and I myself will be a partner in these stages because this new house is a safe roof for us to make dreams come true.

I do not forget that without the help of all those who helped me in this country, I would not have been able to start this new life. Thank you.”

Sue Sutton, Interim Executive Director of Customer and Landlord Services, added: “Our partnership with Resonance enables us to make a real and lasting difference to people’s lives. Together, we’re not just providing homes, we’re creating the foundations for people to rebuild their lives with dignity and security. At the same time, we’re helping to address the wider housing crisis by making affordable, good quality homes available to those who need them most. Stories like Yaad’s and his family’s serve as a powerful reminder of why this matters.

“We’re incredibly proud of what this partnership has achieved so far, and we’re committed to continuing to work with Resonance to support even more people, both those in immediate crisis and those waiting for housing, into a home where they feel safe, supported and able to look forward to the future.”

About Salix Homes 

Salix is one of three housing providers that NHPF2 is working with in Greater Manchester, tackling the local housing crisis and helping to reduce levels of homelessness by purchasing and refurbishing properties into affordable homes for people who need it. So far over 100 people, including 40 children, have been housed and provided with access to specialist support services by Salix Homes.

About the National Homelessness Property Fund 2  

National Homelessness Property Fund 2 was created in response to the growing need for affordable housing, providing safe and decent homes for people in housing crisis, and launched in December 2020. Initially, the fund’s focus was on providing homes in the Greater Manchester region but it has since expanded into other regions across the UK including Bristol, Oxford, London, Merseyside and Gloucestershire.

So far, the fund has 307 properties in its portfolio and is housing and supporting 330 people, including almost 90 children.  

The fund is aiming to purchase around 700 family and one-bedroom homes - including from portfolio purchases - across the UK, and to potentially house over 7,000 people over its lifetime. 

Read the fund’s latest social impact report here.