Homeless Young People to Receive Accommodation.

In partnership, Proffitt’s – Investing in Communities, M3 Project and Rossendale Borough Council have secured £100,000 out of the £202,000 required to purchase and refurbish 3 currently empty properties in the Bacup and Stacksteads area.

The funding has been secured from the Empty Homes Community Grants Programme which is being administered by Tribal Education Ltd on behalf of Department for Communities and Local Government.  £65,000 of the grant secured will be spent this financial year on the purchase and refurbishment of one currently empty property in order to keep the momentum going and house at least 2 homeless young people. On the security of the additional funds required the remaining 2 properties will be purchased and refurbished next financial year.

Martin from Proffitt’s said “this is a fantastic project to be working on; if we can manage to secure the remaining funds the project will involve young people in the refurbishment work – giving them skills and experience in a range of trades. We also hope to make links with employers in the construction industry to discuss possible apprenticeships”.

The partnership are currently focusing their efforts in sourcing and securing the match funding required to deliver the project in full. Assuming the project will be delivered in full by the end of next financial year; once the refurbishment work is complete 6 homeless young people will be housed and will continue to receive support through pastoral care from M3 project. The aim of the pastoral care is to encourage personal development, basic life skills, self-reliance and build confidence which will eventually lead to the young person moving on into employment and their own accommodation.