Derby City Council and Derby Homes have successfully secured £1.1m in funding to help young people who are rough sleeping or at risk of rough sleeping.
The funding has been secured through the Single Homeless Accommodation Programme, introduced by the Government’s Department of Levelling Up, Housing and Communities (DLUHC).
The bid will be match-funded by Derby Homes to support the acquisition of ten properties. These will be one or two bedroom properties, depending on market availability.
The funding package will also enable delivery of a three-year programme of accommodation-based support. It will fund two, full-time Transitional Support Workers, and Social Worker posts for the duration of the programme.
A total of 48 vulnerable young people in Derby have been identified as needing accommodation with support. They range from care leavers, young people who are not ready for independent living and those at substantial risk of rough sleeping or who are already rough sleeping.
The properties will be managed by Derby Homes, have affordable rents and energy efficiency ratings of at least a band C, to help make household bills more affordable.
Councillor Shiraz Kahn, Cabinet Member for Housing, Property and Regulatory Services said:
No one, especially children, should have to worry about becoming homeless.
By providing vulnerable young people with not only a safe place to live but the skills and tools to live independently, we can hopefully stop homelessness from becoming a reality for many.
This proactive approach to tackling homelessness is a fantastic initiative, and one I am proud to see supporting Derby’s most vulnerable.