Latest news with #SingleHomelessnessAccommodationProgramme
Yahoo
28-02-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Homelessness surge: Charity is expanding into Bishop Auckland, Spennymoor and Tow Law
Homeless charity Emmaus North East is expanding its services into three County Durham towns after data showed a 39 per cent increase in rough sleeping in the region. Through funding from Durham County Council the Single Homelessness Accommodation Programme (SHAP) will see supported housing in Spennymoor, Tow Law and Bishop Auckland. Emmaus North East will open a mixture of accommodation, including an intensively supported multiple bed unit, individual accommodation and housing for 15 individuals at any one time throughout the three-year contract. In addition to offering accommodation, the South Shields based charity plan to create a social enterprise, enabling those they support to gain valuable work opportunities and rebuild their lives. (Image: Emmaus NE) Ruth Parker, CEO of Emmaus North East, explained that there needs to be more investment in social housing and long term funding to start tackling the crisis. She said: "As I expected there has been an increase in the number of rough sleepers, this has been happening several years running. "The statistics are a snapshot because they are just the tip of the iceberg. "It only counts the people that they come across on the street on that one evening and it misses people sofa surfing. "We see the increase every day. It's not a great picture and it is one we should be embarrassed about as a country. "This Government has to do more." (Image: Emmaus NE) Despite the "shameful" statistics Ms Parker emphasised that currently, Emmaus North East is expanding with a new project to support people in County Durham. She said: "In April we will be opening up some homes with Durham County Council for single homeless people. "Within that contract is funding for all the additional support they need. It's a three year contract. "The homes will be in Spennymoor, Tow Law and Bishop Auckland." Read next: Santoro on Yarm High Street announces shock closure Producers defend casting Katie Price in Darlington panto Spennymoor meat firm fined after man pulled into machine The CEO highlighted that everybody is only "a couple of steps" from homelessness. She added: "When I hear the stories of teachers or other people with excellent jobs it really hammers it home. "Some of the stories we hear are really really harrowing."
Yahoo
17-02-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Residents 'fear safety' over rough sleeper homes
Residents have said they fear feeling "vulnerable and unsafe" over plans to build homes for people who have experienced rough sleeping. Durham County Council has submitted proposals for eight homes near Merrington View, Spennymoor, for vulnerable adults aged more than 25 years old. A site manager would live on site with the project aiming to help tenants move into mainstream housing within two years. But local county councillor Billy McAloon said neighbours had claimed they could feel threatened by living with people with "complex social problems". The programme would be delivered by the council and the Single Homelessness Accommodation Programme (SHAP) as part of plans to reduce homelessness in the area. The development would consist of two buildings divided into four two-storey homes, with private gardens and parking spaces for seven vulnerable adults, the Local Democracy Reporting Service said. Mr McAloon, councillor for Tudhoe, requested the application be considered at a planning committee and said his concerns were supported by 12 letters of objection with one letter of support. He said residents, including elderly and disabled people, had told him they were worried about feeling "vulnerable and unsafe", adding: "Perhaps even become threatened by the introduction of more people who have complex social problems." Mr McAloon said opponents would also "bemoan the loss of their last remaining small green space" which had only recently had some new trees planted. Durham County Council's planning department recommended the plans be approved ahead of a committee meeting on Thursday. All potential residents would be assessed by the council based on the view of other agencies including police, probation, health services and veteran services, the application said. "Any risks would be assessed with a focus on any risks posed to the staff, the other vulnerable residents in the scheme and the wider community," it added. Follow BBC Tees on X, Facebook, Nextdoor and Instagram. Send your story ideas here. Homelessness up 20% over last 12 months - Shelter Plan to increase and improve housing for homeless Local Democracy Reporting Service
BBC News
17-02-2025
- General
- BBC News
Spennymoor residents 'fear safety' over rough sleeper homes
Residents have said they fear feeling "vulnerable and unsafe" over plans to build homes for people who have experienced rough sleeping. Durham County Council has submitted proposals for eight homes near Merrington View, Spennymoor, for vulnerable adults aged more than 25 years old.A site manager would live on site with the project aiming to help tenants move into mainstream housing within two local county councillor Billy McAloon said neighbours had claimed they could feel threatened by living with people with "complex social problems". The programme would be delivered by the council and the Single Homelessness Accommodation Programme (SHAP) as part of plans to reduce homelessness in the development would consist of two buildings divided into four two-storey homes, with private gardens and parking spaces for seven vulnerable adults, the Local Democracy Reporting Service McAloon, councillor for Tudhoe, requested the application be considered at a planning committee and said his concerns were supported by 12 letters of objection with one letter of support. He said residents, including elderly and disabled people, had told him they were worried about feeling "vulnerable and unsafe", adding: "Perhaps even become threatened by the introduction of more people who have complex social problems."Mr McAloon said opponents would also "bemoan the loss of their last remaining small green space" which had only recently had some new trees County Council's planning department recommended the plans be approved ahead of a committee meeting on potential residents would be assessed by the council based on the view of other agencies including police, probation, health services and veteran services, the application said."Any risks would be assessed with a focus on any risks posed to the staff, the other vulnerable residents in the scheme and the wider community," it added. Follow BBC Tees on X, Facebook, Nextdoor and Instagram. Send your story ideas here.
