PR 5145
Government funding to the tune of £780,000 has been secured to develop a major £2.3m housing project in Scunthorpe for the homeless.
A central site off Scotter Road in Scunthorpe has been earmarked as the preferred site.
Ambitious plans between Framework Housing Association and North Lincolnshire Council will provide a shelter for homeless people with complex needs.
In the last year, the number of people sleeping rough has doubled from seven to 16.
A recent comprehensive need analysis also revealed that a further 30 or 40 people at any one time in immediate or unmet housing need.
The project will provide 20 units of high quality supported temporary accommodation for homeless people with complex needs focusing on rough sleepers.
It will provide a stable environment where people can be supported while they acquire the skills and behaviour to enable them to move on to permanent accommodation and employment.
The building will provide a welcoming environment, quality self-contained accommodation, flexible training and meeting facilities, rooms for professional and confidential service user contact, and space for healthcare provision and therapeutic interventions.
Cllr Rob Waltham, cabinet member for adult and children’s services at North Lincolnshire Council, said:
“The plans are in very early stages, but the Government’s contribution is significant and gives their commitment to tackling the issue head-on by giving those in most need, a roof over their heads.
“There’s a clear need for a service specifically designed to meet the housing and support requirements of hard to house homeless people and break the cycle of rough sleeping by providing high quality housing, 24 hour support, education, training and move-in services.
“We accept that sometimes people fall into hard times and we have got to do our best to help them get back on the road to employment and secure their own future.”
Andrew Redfern, Chief Executive of Framework, said:
“We are delighted to be working in partnership with North Lincolnshire Council and the Homelessness Change Programme to provide this major new supported accommodation service for homeless people with complex needs.
“This scheme supplies a missing piece in the jigsaw of local provision; we are very pleased that the council has entrusted Framework with the responsibility to deliver this major project and look forward to working with elected members and officers to realise their exciting vision.
“Framework is a specialist charity offering accommodation, support, training and employment for homeless and vulnerable people. Over the past ten years we have developed several high quality accommodation services: such accommodation provides an important first step towards resettlement for people who are homeless.
“Since last autumn, Framework has been delivering a variety of services for homeless and vulnerable people in Lincoln and Lincolnshire.
"It has also been awarded funding from the Homes and Communities Agency (HCA) to develop a major new accommodation project in Lincoln.
“We now look forward to helping to address the needs of homeless people in North Lincolnshire for the first time.”
For media enquiries contact:
Sarah Howe, Senior Media Relations Officer
Tel: 01724 296353
Mobile: 07717586353
Email: sarah.howe@northlincs.gov.uk
