Four self-contained flats in Gateshead will be used to provide support to homeless people.
The one and two bedroom flats will provide safe accommodation for those who have experienced, or are at risk of, homelessness. They are being introduced by Gateshead Council, in partnership with Tyne Housing.
The refurbished properties, which are fully furnished and contain all essential appliances, have been renovated to the highest possible standard. Some rough sleepers are now in the process of moving in.
Tenants will move into the flats 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 up to two years.
During their time living there, residents will be provided with individual, tailored support from Tyne Housing. It will aim to meet their needs and move towards independent living.
The flats were purchased and refurbished after Homes England awarded £165,000 in a successful funding bid, which was entered through the Government Rough Sleeping Accommodation Programme (RSAP).
There was an additional contribution from Tyne Housing as well as funding provided through the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities.
This latest increase in provision will complement the existing services available to rough sleepers in Gateshead. These include an additional 22 units funded through the Government’s Next Steps Accommodation Programme and Rough Sleeper Initiative Programmes.
Councillor John Adams, Cabinet Member for Housing with Gateshead Council, is delighted with the addition to the local homelessness provision.
He 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."
Steve McKinlay, chief executive of Tyne Housing, added: "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."
To find out more about the support available visit www.gateshead.gov.uk/homelessness
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