More support has been made available for rough sleepers in Gateshead with the acquisition of four additional self-contained flats.
Gateshead Council, in partnerhip with Tyne Housing, bought and refurbished the four flats after a succesful bid thrugh the government’s Rough Sleeing Accomodation Programme (RSAP). A further £165,000 was awarded by Homes England, with an additional contribution from Tyne.
Additional funding has also been provided through the Department for Levelling Up, Homes and Communities to provide wraparound support for those living in the homes.
The one- and two-bedroom flats are intended to provide safe and supported accomodation for those who have experience, or at risk of rough sleeping.
Councillor John Adams, cabinet member for housing at Gateshead Council, said: “Nobody should be sleeping rough or living in unsuitable accommodation. This is why we are providing these new homes for former rough sleepers, together with tailored intensive support for those with chronic or complex needs.
“It will make an enormous difference to some of the most vulnerable in our community, and I am delighted we are bringing this forward.
“Homelessness is a complex issue that can happen to anyone at any time. We need to make sure we have safe and secure accommodation for people when they need it, and then work with tenants to support their move into independent living.”
The refurbished flats, which are fully furnished and feature all essential appliances, have been renovated to the highest possible standard, the council says, with some tenants now moving in.
Following an assessment and referral from the council’s Housing Solutions team, the accommodation will provide a clean, safe, and secure place to live for a period of up to two years.
During this time Tyne Housing will provide the residents with individual, tailored support to meet their needs and help them to move towards independent living.
This latest increase in provision will complement the existing services available to rough sleepers in Gateshead, which includes an additional 22 units funded through the Government’s Next Steps Accommodation Programme, and Rough Sleeper Initiative Programmes.
Steve McKinlay, chief executive of Tyne Housing, said: “The reasons people go through periods of homelessness are complex, and at Tyne Housing we believe building trusted relationships and taking a holistic approach to support is a stepping stone to helping people to a better place.
“This accommodation will give people a space to live in their own home, while still being able to access Tyne’s collaborative support services from specialist housing and support workers, with the eventual aim of successfully moving on to their own independent home.”
Main image: Lucas Riley, rapid rehousing coordinator at Tyne Housing, inside one of the new self-contained flats
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