Cash boost to help the homeless
Lancaster City Council has been successful in its bid for £1.5million to help homeless people put their lives back on track.
Lancaster City Council has been successful in its bid for £1.5million to help homeless people put their lives back on track.
The funding comes from the Places of Change fund, an initiative from the Government's department of Communities and Local Government (CLG) and will allow the development of a Doorstep Supported Accommodation Scheme.
The scheme will see the Lancaster and District YMCA's premises on New Road in Lancaster developed to provide more training facilities and a range of support services needed by homeless people. It will also provide short stay and move on accommodation for single homeless people, along with support services, training opportunities and social enterprises.
The successful bid was submitted by the City Council in partnership with the YMCA and northwest based Adactus Housing Association. The three partners also hope to receive another £1.5million from the Housing Corporation for the scheme. A final decision is expected from the Housing Corporation in May.
Coun John Gilbert, Lancaster City Council’s cabinet member with responsibility for housing, said: "The council is delighted that YMCA are receiving this funding.
"The city council supported the bid to the Government's Places of Change programme because we want to see homelessness problems in the District solved.
"We have worked closely with the YMCA on the Portland Street project, but we know that this cannot respond to all the need that there is locally.
"We want to see people of all ages getting access to good quality provision and being able to access training and employment opportunities as well as decent housing.
"The Doorstep Accommodation Scheme will offer a whole range of opportunities and support to homeless people in one place. This has been a great example of partnership working really delivering results."
Phil McGrath, general secretary of Lancaster and District YMCA, said: "This is brilliant news for the homeless people of the Lancaster district. It is a much welcomed boost to what we’re sure will be a fabulous facility."
Hilary Roberts, Group Director of Development at Adactus Housing Association said: "This is great news for Lancaster and an exciting project that will really help to improve people's lives and support the local community. We look forward to working with our partners to bring long-term improvements and investment to the local area and make a difference to people’s lives."
Date Updated: 19/03/09